WEST CHESTER, PA — A significant step was taken in the ongoing case against Danelo Souza Cavalcante, a Brazilian national who previously sparked a two-week-long manhunt following his escape from Chester County Prison. Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that during a preliminary hearing held on February 2, 2024, District Judge Matthew Seavey ordered all 20 charges against Cavalcante to proceed to county court for trial.
Cavalcante, who attended the hearing in person, remains in custody without bail. A life sentence was already being served by Cavalcante for a homicide conviction prior to his escape on August 31, 2023. The fugitive was captured on the morning of September 13, 2023. It is also reported that Cavalcante is wanted on similar charges in his home country of Brazil.
Following this preliminary hearing, the next legal step will be a formal arraignment in Chester County Court. The date for this proceeding is yet to be determined.
As we continue to follow this case, it’s crucial to underline that the filing of charges, a criminal complaint, or an arrest does not constitute a declaration of guilt. All individuals involved in criminal proceedings, including Cavalcante, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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