Former ‘Jackass’ star Bam Margera turns himself in; denies assaulting younger brother

KENNETT SQUARE — Former “Jackass” reality television star Brandon “Bam” Margera has been found, and his case has taken on a Trump connection.

Margera, who was being sought by police after an incident Sunday in which he allegedly assaulted his younger brother and threatened other members of his family at his home in Pocopson, was arraigned Thursday morning by Magisterial District Judge Albert Iacoccoa of Kennett Square.

Margera was released after Iacocca set bail at $50,000, unsecured, and scheduled a date for a preliminary hearing on the charges. That proceeding is tentatively set for May 25 at the Chester County Justice Center in West Chester.

As part of his bail, Margera was ordered not to have any contact with any of the victims in the case — identified as Jesse Margera, his brother; Phil Margera Jr., his father, and two women, one of whom called police to report the disturbance. He is also forbidden from visiting his property in Pocopson.

Margera must also undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any treatment that is recommended, and check in with Chester County Pre-Trial Services on a regular weekly basis.

He was accompanied to the relatively brief proceeding, at which he was notified of the charges against him and what they amount to, by his attorney, Michael van der Veen of West Whiteland.

After leaving the court, Margera posted a photo of himself on social media and commented on the case against him.

“I just got out of the courthouse with my lawyers,” it read. “Everything went great and the false accusations of what my brother says are not true and he will be sued for defamation as well as being evicted from castle bam sooner than later. The reason I lost my cool is because I read his phone saying he wants me back in California and he wants to find a way to 302 me.”

“Castle Bam” is the name of the Pocopson property that served as Margera’s base for many years. The reference to “302” is to the process of having someone involuntarily committed.

In comments to the media, van der Veen also took a combative stance.

“My client is presumed innocent,” van der Veen said. “The rumors that have been being passed around by his brother through this last week have been nothing short of defamation and that will be handled in another courthouse.”

A state police spokesman said that Margera had turned himself in to the barracks at Avondale, where he was fingerprinted and photographed, in the morning. He then drove a few miles to the District Court on West Cypress Street in New Garden, where he was seen smoking a cigarette as he and van der Veen walked to the front doors of the court. It was closed at the time, however, and the pair had to wait a few moments before entering.

Van der Veen, whose Philadelphia law firm is van der Veen, Hartshorn & Levin, has most recently been in the news for representing former President Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial. He also served as co-counsel in the Trump Organization’s criminal trial on tax fraud charges in New York City, and also represented notorious killer Richard Greist in his effort to win his freedom from commitment at Norristown State Hospital in 2022.

Police began looking for the troubled Margera last Sunday after the altercation at his home in Pocopson. He was charged with misdemeanor simple assault, four counts of terroristic threats, and summary harassment.

According to his mother, April Margera, the target of Margera’s ire was his younger brother, Jesse.

“We don’t know where he is,” April Margera said Monday morning in a telephone interview, referring to Bam. “He is just struggling with so many layers of issues.” She said his brother had gone to the property on Hickory Hill Road — known in the past as “Castle Bam” — because of a recent “episode.”

April Margera said the “Viva La Bam” reality television star had dealt for years with alcohol abuse and mental health issues, and had been living in Florida and California before returning to Chester County only recently. “But I don’t want to say anything more that might jeopardize him getting help,” she said. “I’m sorry.”

She could not be reached Thursday. It was unclear whether Bam had turned himself in or whether he had been picked up on the active warrant.

According to the state police press release, units were called to the  Margera home on Hickory Hill Road near Pocopson home for reports of a domestic disturbance around 11 a.m. Sunday. Margera was reportedly involved in a physical confrontation with the victim, who police did not name in the release, but who suffered minor injuries.

Margera had taken off through the woods before troopers arrived, the release stated.

According to an arrest affidavit accompanying the criminal complaint written by Trooper John Wendling, state police received a call from a woman who was staying at Bam Margera’s property for a “domestic in progress.”

When Wending arrived, he spoke with Phillip Margera and Jesse Margera, who told him that Bam had fled into the woods behind the house, and that several troopers were already searching for him.