Convicted Killer Danelo Cavalcante Captured in Pennsylvania After Prison Escape
In a surprising turn of events, Danelo Cavalcante, a convicted killer, was apprehended in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, nearly two weeks after his daring escape from Chester County Prison on August 31. This escape had sparked an extensive and intense manhunt.
Cavalcante’s criminal history involves a complex web of charges in both the United States and Brazil. He initially fled Brazil in 2018, following allegations of fatally shooting a man who owed him money. The gravity of his situation amplified when he received a life sentence in the U.S. for the 2021 murder of his girlfriend. The contrast between his potential sentences in the two countries is striking, according to Tocantins state prosecutor Rafael Pinto Alamy.
Alamy, the prosecutor in charge of Cavalcante’s case, expressed his surprise, saying, “I thought he wanted to escape to Brazil. He would have to comply with the prison rules here, which are much more lenient.”
In Brazil, where life sentences are not issued, Cavalcante faces a maximum prison term of 30 years. With good behavior, he might be eligible for release after approximately 12 years, Alamy stated.
Cavalcante’s Troubled Past
The charges against Cavalcante in Brazil stem from a tragic incident on November 5, 2017, when he allegedly shot 20-year-old Valter Júnior Moreira dos Reis five times outside a restaurant in the small rural town of Figueiropolis, Tocantins. A witness reported that Cavalcante hastily retreated to his car and fled the scene after the shooting.
The victim’s sister revealed that she believed Cavalcante targeted her brother due to a debt related to car damage. Brazilian authorities launched an investigation and swiftly ordered Cavalcante’s arrest. However, despite their efforts, law enforcement failed to locate him at that time.
The Escape and Flight
Fantastico, an investigative television show in Brazil, shed light on Cavalcante’s escape. In January 2018, he purportedly traveled to Brasília, although it remains unclear whether he used his own identification for the journey. He was only listed as a fugitive in the state of Tocantins until June 2018 when he was included in a national warrant information system, Alamy reported.
Legal Proceedings in Brazil
Cavalcante now faces a crucial court hearing in Brazil scheduled for October 11. This case is expected to go to a jury, likely next year, according to statements from his lawyer, Magnus Lourenço, and Alamy. However, Lourenço acknowledged the possibility of a delay, as they are uncertain if Cavalcante will receive timely notification of the October hearing.
Reaction in Brazil
Similar to the extensive coverage of Cavalcante’s escape and subsequent capture in the United States, Brazilian media outlets closely followed the saga. His eventual apprehension even graced the front pages of numerous newspapers in the country.
Loved ones of Cavalcante’s alleged victim in Brazil expressed relief at his capture, although they lamented the slow pace of justice. “We’re pleased (with his capture), but there was no justice for my brother in Brazil. Justice is very slow,” said Dayane Moreira dos Reis, the victim’s sister. “We (now) hope he’ll stay in prison for his whole sentence.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.