A man who scaled a security fence in the middle of the night and set fire to the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion has pleaded guilty to attempted murder and other charges.
Read full article: Solve a ‘Masquerade of Shadows’ at Emma Jane’s Murder Mystery Dinner this Halloween1 hour agoHouston unveils new recycling trucks to improve on-time collections Cody Balmer , accused of setting a fire at Pennsylvania Gov.
Josh Shapiro's official residence, leaves Dauphin County Courthouse on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 in Harrisburg, Pa. Cody Balmer, accused of setting a fire at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's official residence arrives at Dauphin County Courthouse on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 in Harrisburg, Pa. Cody Balmer, accused of setting a fire at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's official residence, leaves Dauphin County Courthouse on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 in Harrisburg, Pa. – A man who scaled an iron security fence in the middle of the night, eluded police and used beer bottles filled with gasoline to ignite the occupied, 21 counts of reckless endangerment and loitering in the April 13 attack that did millions of dollars in damage to the state-owned brick building.awakened and evacuated , but no one was injured. The multiple endangerment charges reflected the number of people in the residence at the time, including the governor’s family, guests and state troopers. The fire was set hours after they celebrated the Jewish holiday of Passover with a Seder in the residence. Prosecutors played video clips that showed Molotov cocktails going off and a figure inside and outside the residence. Judge Deborah Curcillo called the video “horrific” and “very frightening.” Balmer told police he planned to beat Shapiro with a small sledgehammer if he had encountered him after breaking into the building, according to court documents. BalmerPolice say Balmer broke in through the southern wing of the residence, into a room often used to entertain crowds and display art. Investigators recovered two broken glass beer bottles containing gasoline. The fire charred walls, tables, buffet serving dishes, plates and a piano. Window panes and brick around doors and windows were also damaged., but Balmer told The Associated Press in a May letter from jail that had not been a factor in his decision. “He can be Jewish, Muslim, or a purple people eater for all I care 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 did think beforehand about whether children might be injured. “Does anyone ever consider children?” Balmer said in June. “It doesn't seem that way. I sure as hell did. I'm glad no one got hurt.” Asked why he felt Shapiro had somehow done him wrong, Balmer replied: “I'm not going to answer that.”At a court hearing a few days after the fire, Balmer told a judge he was an unemployed welder with no income or savings and “a lot of children.” Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Pennsylvania man pleads guilty in arson attack at governor’s mansionA man who scaled a security fence in the middle of the night and set fire to the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion has pleaded guilty to attempted murder and other charges. Cody Balmer entered the plea Tuesday for the April attack that caused millions of dollars in damage to the state-owned building in Harrisburg. Gov.
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