WEST CHESTER — For Brandon “Bam” Margera, the year 2023 was full of turmoil and turnaround.
The West Chester-born reality television star got a taste of real life when he was charged with crimes involving an alleged assault on his brother and other family members, offenses for which he is still waiting for trial in Common Pleas Court.
But the arrest and its fallout may have brought some order to the 44-year-old “Jackass” star’s life, and he claimed new work on his sobriety, a return to his love of skateboarding, and — in December — a reported engagement to the girlfriend he started dating as the legal cases against him swirled.
“I feel great not drinking,” he told the Common Pleas Court judge overseeing his case at a bail hearing in October. “I don’t want to do that anymore.”
His legal troubles in Chester County began in April when state police were called to his Pocopson property — known as “Castle Bam” — for the report of a domestic disturbance. There, a trooper spoke with Jessie Margera, his brother, who said he had been in a physical confrontation with Bam, who had threatened to shoot him, and that he had taken off into the woods.
Margera was missing for some time but eventually turned himself in. His attorney, Michael van der Veer of Exton, fought the charges against his client at a preliminary hearing, arguing that his behavior the day of the incident was simply an extension of his tomfoolery from his reality TV shows, including “Viva La Bam.” He was ordered to stand trial on simple assault and terroristic threats charges, nonetheless.
At the time, Magisterial District Judge Albert Iacocca placed bail restrictions on him to ensure that he did not abuse drugs or alcohol and that kept him in Pennsylvania, rather than allowing him to return to California, where he had several publicized incidents involving bizarre behavior.
Then in August, Delaware County police officers were called to the parking lot of the Radnor Hotel in the early morning hours for the report of a male and female causing a disturbance Upon arrival, officers made contact with Margera, who appeared intoxicated and was acting disorderly, police said. Margera was taken into custody for public intoxication and disorderly conduct and taken to the Radnor police station. He remained at the police station, was issued citations for public intoxication and disorderly conduct, and was later released to a friend.
That incident led prosecutors involved with his case to question whether his bail should be revoked, or newer, more stringent conditions be placed on him. That was when he appeared before Judge Patrick Carmody and pledged his new commitment to living sober.
Assistant District Attorney Zachary Yurick, prosecuting the case, and defense attorney Anthony Godshall of Philadelphia, representing Margera, told Carmody that they had agreed to let Margera remove the ankle bracelet he currently wears to check whether he is using alcohol on Oct. 9, providing he does not have any violations between now and then.
Margera, who appeared in court wearing a heavy black pea coat and a down-hooded coat, is scheduled to attend an event in Florida that weekend, after having received permission from his probation officer to make the trip. If he returns clean, the SCRAM bracelet from Margera’s leg that Carmody had ordered he wear removed.
The judge, however, warned Margera about the consequences of any future drug or alcohol use, noting his citation last month for public drunkenness in Delaware County.
“If you have any more incidents, I’ll yank your bail,” the judge told Margera.
To contact staff writer Michael P. Rellahan call 610-696-1544.
