HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A man who climbed an iron security fence in the middle of the night, eluded police and used beer bottles filled with gasoline to ignite the occupied Pennsylvania governor’s mansion pleaded guilty Tuesday to attempted murder and other charges.
Cody Balmer, 38, also entered pleas to terrorism, 22 counts of arson, aggravated arson, burglary, aggravated assault on Gov. Josh Shapiro, 21 counts of reckless endangerment and loitering in the April 13 attack that caused millions of dollars in damage to the state-owned brick building.
As part of a plea deal, Balmer was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison.
Shapiro and his family members had to be awakened and evacuated, but no one was injured. The multiple endangerment charges reflected the number of people who were in the residence at the time, including the governor’s family, guests and state troopers.
The fire was started hours after the Jewish holiday of Passover was celebrated with a Seder at the residence. Prosecutors played video clips showing Molotov cocktails exploding and a figure inside and outside the residence. Judge Deborah Curcillo called the video “horrible” and “very frightening.”
Balmer told police he planned to beat Shapiro with a small hammer if he encountered him after breaking into the building, according to court documents. Balmer turned himself in the next afternoon to face charges of attempted homicide, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault.
Police say Balmer broke in through the south wing of the residence, into a room often used for entertaining crowds and displaying art. Investigators found two broken glass beer bottles containing gasoline. The fire charred the walls, the tables, the buffet serving dishes, plates and a piano. Glass and bricks around doors and windows were also damaged.
Shapiro’s Jewish faith and the attack over Passover weekend raised questions about Balmer’s motivation, but Balmer told The Associated Press in a letter sent from prison in May that it had not been a factor in his decision.
“He can be Jewish, Muslim or a purple people eater, it doesn’t matter and as long as he leaves me and mine alone,” Balmer wrote.
He said in a brief June 9 video interview from Camp Hill State Prison that he had considered beforehand whether children might be harmed.
“Is anyone thinking of the children?” Balmer said in June. “It doesn’t appear to be the case. I’m sure it is. I’m glad no one was hurt.” When asked why he thought Shapiro hurt him, Balmer said, “I’m not going to answer that question.”
Balmer’s mother said days after his arrest that she tried to get him help for mental health issues, but that “no one would help him.” Court proceedings were delayed while he underwent mental health treatment, his attorney said.
At a court hearing days after the fire, Balmer told a judge he was an unemployed welder with no income or savings and “with a lot of kids.”
The residence, built in 1968, did not have sprinklers. Work to repair the damage and strengthen its security features continues.
