Danelo Cavalcante, a convicted murderer who made headlines last year for his daring escape from a Chester County prison, appeared in court on Monday for a pretrial hearing.
Cavalcante, 32, was recaptured in December 2020 after being on the run for over a week. He had escaped from the Chester County Prison in West Chester, Pennsylvania, on November 6, 2020, by scaling a 15-foot wall and using a makeshift rope made of bed sheets.
The Escape and Recapture of Danelo Cavalcante
The Escape
Cavalcante, who was serving a life sentence for the 2003 murder of a 16-year-old boy, was being held at the Chester County Prison while awaiting a new trial. He had been granted a new trial after his original conviction was overturned due to prosecutorial misconduct.
On the night of November 6, 2020, Cavalcante managed to escape from his cell by removing a window and using a rope made of bed sheets to scale the prison wall. He then fled on foot, sparking a massive manhunt.
The Recapture
After over a week on the run, Cavalcante was recaptured on December 14, 2020, in a wooded area near the prison. He was found with a backpack containing food, water, and a change of clothes.
Cavalcante was charged with escape, flight to avoid apprehension, and other related offenses. He was also charged with possession of a weapon, as he was found with a homemade knife at the time of his recapture.
The Pretrial Hearing
Cavalcante appeared in court on Monday for a pretrial hearing, where his defense team argued that the escape charge should be dropped.
The Defense’s Argument
Cavalcante’s defense team argued that the escape charge should be dropped because he was not technically “escaping” from prison, as he was already serving a life sentence. They also argued that the charge of flight to avoid apprehension should be dropped, as Cavalcante did not flee the area and was found within a mile of the prison.
The Prosecution’s Argument
The prosecution argued that the escape charge should proceed to trial, as Cavalcante’s actions put the safety of prison staff and the public at risk. They also argued that the flight to avoid apprehension charge should stand, as Cavalcante was actively evading capture and had a weapon in his possession.
Judge Rules Escape Charge Can Proceed to Trial
After hearing arguments from both sides, Judge William Mahon ruled that the escape charge against Cavalcante can proceed to trial. He also ruled that the flight to avoid apprehension charge will stand.
Cavalcante’s trial is set to begin on September 13, 2021.
Danelo Cavalcante Memes and Public Reaction
The news of Cavalcante’s escape and recapture sparked a flurry of memes and jokes on social media. Many people found humor in the fact that a convicted murderer was able to escape from prison and evade capture for over a week.
However, others were outraged by the situation, with some calling for stricter security measures at the prison and harsher punishment for Cavalcante.
Update on Danelo Cavalcante’s Original Conviction
While awaiting his new trial, Cavalcante’s original conviction for the 2003 murder of a 16-year-old boy was overturned due to prosecutorial misconduct. The prosecutor in the case, Roger King, was found to have withheld evidence that could have potentially exonerated Cavalcante.
Cavalcante’s new trial was set to begin in March 2021, but it has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A new trial date has not yet been set.
The Future of Danelo Cavalcante
Cavalcante is currently being held at the State Correctional Institution at Phoenix in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He is facing additional charges for his escape and is awaiting his new trial for the murder conviction.
If convicted of the escape and flight to avoid apprehension charges, Cavalcante could face additional prison time on top of his life sentence for murder.
Takeaways
The escape and recapture of Danelo Cavalcante have brought attention to the security measures at the Chester County Prison and the handling of his original murder conviction. As his trial approaches, the public will be watching closely to see the outcome of his case and the impact it may have on the prison system.
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