Man Admits to Governor's Mansion Arson Attack in Pennsylvania
A Pennsylvania man confessed to attempting to murder the state's governor by setting the governor's mansion on fire. The man was able to break into the property after climbing over a security fence in the middle of the night. He used homemade firebombs, filled with gasoline and made from beer bottles, to set the mansion ablaze.
The accused, Cody Balmer, admitted to multiple charges, including terrorism, 22 counts of arson, aggravated arson, burglary, aggravated assault, 21 counts of reckless endangerment, and loitering. The attack, which took place in April, caused significant damage to the brick mansion owned by the state, running into millions of dollars.
Reduced Sentence for Guilty Plea
As part of a plea deal, Balmer received a sentence of 25 to 50 years in prison, which is significantly less than what he could have faced if the case had gone to trial. Balmer, who is 38 years old, chose not to make a statement in court about the crime, responding to questions with brief, straightforward answers. His defense attorney confirmed that Balmer is taking full responsibility for his actions.
Political Violence Must Not Be Normalized
Following the hearing, Governor Josh Shapiro expressed his support for the plea deal, stating that it provides genuine accountability. Shapiro, along with his family, had to be awakened and evacuated from the mansion during the fire. Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident. The numerous charges of arson and reckless endangerment reflect the number of people present in the residence at the time, including guests and state troopers.
Shapiro expressed his concerns about the growing trend of political violence, citing conversations with world leaders who also feel vulnerable and potential political candidates who are hesitant to run for office due to threats to their families' safety. Shapiro asserted that such violence should not become the norm for elected officials.
Breaking and Entering Caught on Camera
A security video presented in court shows Balmer breaking a window and throwing a Molotov cocktail into a dining room frequently used for entertaining guests. He then used a small sledgehammer to break another window and crawl into the mansion. The footage shows Balmer attempting to break into the room where Shapiro and his family were sleeping but failing to do so. He then started another fire before exiting the room and walking across the yard without encountering any state police.
Victim Statement and Motive
In a victim statement read in court, Shapiro and his wife Lori described feeling vulnerable in ways they could never have imagined, stating that they are learning to live with the fear and anxiety caused by the attack. Balmer admitted to police that he had planned to attack Shapiro with the sledgehammer if he had encountered him after breaking into the mansion.
Questions about Balmer's motive were raised, especially considering the attack occurred shortly after the family celebrated the Jewish holiday of Passover. However, Balmer dismissed any religious motive behind his actions. He stated to investigators that his primary concern was the potential death toll of the war in Gaza, suggesting that he was prepared to kill to make a point about the war.
Concerns about Mental Health
Following his arrest, Balmer's mother revealed that she had sought help for his mental health issues, but was unable to find assistance. His court proceedings were delayed while he received mental health treatment. A letter from Balmer's relatives, read in court, stated that Balmer had stopped taking his medication, leading to manic episodes and a difficult path.
Damage to the Mansion
The fire caused extensive damage to the governor's residence, which was built in 1968 and lacked sprinkler systems. The fire burned walls, tables, buffet serving dishes, plates, and a piano. It also damaged window panes and the brickwork around doors and windows.