Convicted murderer who escaped from Chester County jail expected to plead guilty – NBC10 Philadelphia

A convicted murderer who escaped from a Chester County jail last year and led law enforcement on a two-week manhunt is expected to plead guilty to the charges against him in a court hearing on Friday.

According to court documents, the trial of 35-year-old Danilo Cavalcante of Waynesburg is scheduled for Friday.

However, a statement from a representative of the Chester County courts said there may not be a trial and that he will instead enter a guilty plea.

A source familiar with the investigation also told NBC10 that Cavalcante is also expected to plead guilty.

An attorney for Cavalcante contacted us Thursday morning but did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The state Attorney General's Office also did not immediately respond when contacted about the case.

Who is Danelo Cavalcante?

Cavalcante is charged with burglary, theft and other offenses after escaping from the Chester County Jail on Thursday, August 31, 2023, leading police on a manhunt that lasted until Wednesday, September 13, 2023.

For 14 days, Cavalcante – a Brazilian who speaks fluent Portuguese, Spanish and some English, is about 5 feet tall and weighs about 120 pounds – led police on an escape route that zigzagged through Chester County.

He was eventually arrested after being discovered hiding on a property in South Coventry Township.

According to court records, Cavalcante was in prison after being convicted of first-degree murder for stabbing and killing his ex-girlfriend Deborah Brandao in front of their children in April 2021.

Shortly before his escape, he was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.