KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. – A district judge in Pennsylvania has determined that there is enough evidence to proceed with escape and other charges against Danilo Cavalcante, a convicted murderer who was captured last year after being on the run for two weeks. The judge’s decision means that the charges, which include burglary, trespassing, and car theft, will be brought to county court for trial.
Cavalcante’s escape from the Chester County Prison last August was captured on video, showing him scaling a wall, climbing over razor wire, and jumping from a roof. During the extensive manhunt for him, Cavalcante allegedly stole a transit van and is also accused of burglarizing homes in southeastern Pennsylvania. Items stolen include a rifle, ammunition, clothing, and a sleeping bag.
The Chester County public defender’s office, listed as Cavalcante’s representative on the court docket, has yet to provide a comment. The 34-year-old defendant, originally from Brazil, is accused of killing his ex-girlfriend, Deborah Brandao, in order to prevent her from reporting charges against him in Brazil related to a 2017 slaying. He had been serving a life sentence for the murder when he escaped while awaiting transfer to a state prison.
Cavalcante’s capture came after a plane’s thermal imaging camera detected his heat signal. Ground teams, along with search dogs, surrounded and secured the area before moving in to apprehend him. The Chester County jail, where Cavalcante escaped from, is about 25 miles west of Philadelphia.
The judge’s decision to allow the charges to proceed to trial represents a significant development in this case. The evidence presented has convinced the court that there is merit to the escape and other charges against Cavalcante. If convicted, he could face additional penalties and a potential extension of his current sentence. The trial in county court will provide an opportunity to further examine the evidence and hear witness testimonies, allowing for a fair and thorough assessment of the defendant’s actions.