Road rage suspect waives formal arraignment

CHESTER COUNTY (WTXF) - On Thursday morning, the man charged with killing Bianca Roberson in a fit of road rage waived his formal arraignment via video link. The suspect's family was not seen at the courthouse.

David Desper had his preliminary hearing last week and waived his right to that hearing. On Thursday, Desper is slated to have his formal arraignment at the Chester County Courthouse, where he faces charges of first and third degree murder.

No cameras were allowed at the hearing last week, but Desper was handcuffed and shackled. It was the first time he had come face-to-face with his alleged victim's family.

Prosecutors say Desper shot 18-year-old Roberson in the head as the two merged lanes in June on Route 100 in West Goshen.

Prosecutors say it was a case of road rage. Surveillance video caught what cops say was Desper's red pick-up truck leaving the scene shortly after Bianca's car crashed. Her car was later found dumped in a nearby neighborhood.

After a three-day, nationwide manhunt, with thousands of tips coming in from across the country, Desper turned himself in with his attorney by his side.

At the time, Desper's attorney said very little about what his client told detectives, including whether or not he had given investigators a statement.

Authorities turned to the media, asking for the public's help in piecing together exactly who Desper is and what he did for a living. Those at Desper's preliminary hearing did not see his family present.

Roberson's family, who could be seen at last week's hearing, was present and visibly upset. Roberson's father has called for the death penalty, though it's not known whether there were any aggravated circumstances in the case that would put the death penalty on the table for this first degree murder charge.

Roberson would have started college this upcoming Monday at Jacksonvillle University.