2023: Top 5 Stories On West Chester Patch

WEST CHESTER, PA — The year 2023 was like no other year in the West Chester area.
The escape of convicted killer Danilo Cavalcante put Chester County in the national spotlight, leaving residents living in fear, and causing law enforcement officials to work overtime, combing through brush and fields in northern Chester County.

District Attorney Deb Ryan and state police held daily press conferences to update the community on the progress. Longwood Gardens was forced to close during what would typically be a busy Labor Day weekend.

Calvalcante was finally captured on Aug. 31 in South Coventry Township, about 20 miles from the county prison.

Bam Margera, former star of MTV ‘Jackass” also led police on a manhunt in Chester County. He was accused of assaulting his brother, Jesse, in his home on July 27. The disposition of the case has been delayed while Margera has time to work on his sobriety.

Here are the top five stories:

1. Police Urge Vigilance As Search For Escaped Murder Continues: Danilo Cavalcante escaped from Chester County Prison on Aug 31. Cavalcante was waiting to be transferred to a state prison after he was sentenced to life in prison for fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend, Deborah Brandao on April 18, 2021 in Schuylkill Township. He led police on a two-week manhunt throughout northern Chester County, causing residents to live in fear, schools to close, and general chaos.
2. Mom of West Chester Teen Fatally Shot Is Awarded $3.4M: Michelle Boyer the mother of Bianca Robertson, 18, who was shot in the head on June 28, 2017, in a road rage incident was awarded the money in a wrongful death lawsuit against David Desper, who is serving up to 49 years in state prison.
3. Arrest Made After Chesco Police Chase Ends In Crash, Injuries: A Delaware man fleeing police in a stolen vehicle was arrested after a crash in which five people were injured. The crash occurred on Route 100, near a Wawa in Uwchlan Township. The crash shut down Route 100 for hours.
4. West Chester University Removing Professor’s Name On Science Center: Samuel Christian Schmucker’s name was removed after a probe concluded he was an advocate of eugenics, which labels some people as inferior. College President Christopher Fiorentino said the evidence presented by a committee confirmed that his name must be removed
5. Bam Margera Held For Trial In Chester County Court: Bam was ordered held for trial on charges stemming from an assault of his brother, Jesse, in the family residence, known as “Castle Bam” in Pocopson Township. The case is still pending. Margera, the former star of MTV's “Jackass” is also a skateboarder and stuntman.