Josh Shapiro’s Home Arson Suspect Pleads Guilty to Attempted Murder Charge

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Cody Balmer, 38, pleaded guilty on Tuesday in a Pennsylvania courtroom to attempted murder and other charges connected to the April arson of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's home.

By Jenna Sundel and Hollie Silverman

Balmer also entered pleas to terrorism, 22 counts of arson, aggravated arson, burglary, aggravated assault of Shapiro, 21 counts of reckless endangerment and loitering.

The pleas, entered at Dauphin County courthouse, resulted in a sentence of 25 to 50 years in prison. He was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $100,000, according to The New York Times.

Why It Matters

Balmer was accused of scaling a fence, breaking into the Pennsylvania governor's mansion, and throwing homemade Molotov cocktails—gasoline-filled beer bottles—into the building, igniting a fire that caused severe damage and charred furniture, serving dishes and a piano. No one was injured in the attack.

Shapiro, a Democrat, had been celebrating Passover hours before the attack and had multiple guests in his home. Balmer told the Associated Press in a letter from jail that the religious holiday 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.

What To Know

Shapiro and his wife, Lori, provided a victim statement read in court that described how they were left feeling exposed in ways they would not have imagined, calling it “a fear and anxiety we are learning to live with.” They also said the attack added stress to their children’s lives.

"We will forever be changed by this," Shapiro told reporters. "We know that time will heal, but the scars will remain."

Shapiro said his family "fully supported" the plea agreement.

"This is a just outcome," Shapiro said.

Prosecutors played video clips in court that showed Molotov cocktails going off and a figure inside and outside the residence. Judge Deborah Curcillo called the video “horrific” and “very frightening.”

Defense attorney Bryan Walk said Balmer “is taking full responsibility” and paying “a hefty price for a man who’s 38 years old.”

Balmer told police that he was going to beat Shapiro with a small sledgehammer if he had encountered the governor while inside the home, according to court documents obtained by the Associated Press.

Balmer turned himself in the afternoon after the attack.

After the arson, the suspect's mother said her son suffered from mental illness. She said she had tried to get him assistance for mental health issues, but “nobody would help."

Balmer's lawyer said proceedings were delayed while he received mental health treatment.

Records revealed Balmer also had a criminal record spanning more than a decade, including past arrests involving forgery, theft and assault.

What People Are Saying

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, in comments to reporters: "I think we need real accountability for acts of political violence, and today is real accountability for the violence that came here to Pennsylvania."

Judge Deborah Curcillo, after prosecutors showed video of the attack in court: "That was frightening to watch."