Judge rules escape charge against convicted murderer Cavalcante can proceed to trial

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. — A district judge said Friday that Pennsylvania prosecutors have sufficient grounds to continue pursuing escape and other charges against a convicted killer who was captured last year after two weeks on the run.

The judge ruled that there is sufficient evidence to send all charges against Danilo Cavalcante, including burglary, trespassing and car theft, to district court for trial.

Cavalcante’s escape from the Chester County Jail on August 31, captured on video, included scaling a wall, climbing over barbed wire and jumping from a roof. Authorities said Cavalcante stole a transit van during the extensive manhunt for him. He is also accused of burglarizing homes in southeastern Pennsylvania, stealing a gun, ammunition, clothing, a sleeping bag and other items.

A message seeking comment was left with the Chester County Public Defender’s Office, which is listed on the court docket as representing Cavalcante.

Cavalcante, 34, did not testify Friday. He is from Brazil and prosecutors have said he killed ex-girlfriend Deborah Brandao to prevent her from telling police about charges against him there in connection with the 2017 killing.

Cavalcante had been sentenced to life in prison for killing Brandao in front of her children in 2021 when he escaped from custody while awaiting transfer to a state prison.

He was captured when an aircraft’s thermal imaging camera detected his heat signal. Teams on the ground secured the area, surrounded him and moved in with search dogs.

The Chester County Jail is located about 25 miles west of Philadelphia.