| Submit your comments on this article |
| -Lurid Crime Tales- |
| Arsonist pleads guilty to firebombing Pennsylvania governor’s mansion during Passover |
| 2025-10-15 |
| [IsraelTimes] Cody Balmer, who was sentenced to 25-50 years, claims Josh Shapiro’s religion not a factor in attack despite telling cops his actions were an ‘offset to the war in the Middle East’ 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 Pennsylvania governor’s mansion pleaded guilty on Tuesday to the attempted murder of Governor Josh Shapiro and other charges. Cody Balmer also entered pleas to terrorism, 22 counts of arson, aggravated arson, burglary, aggravated assault of 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. Under a plea deal, Balmer was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison, far less than he could have faced if the case had gone to trial. He declined to address the judge about the crime, answering questions with short, simple answers. Defense attorney Bryan Walk said Balmer "is taking full responsibility" and paying "a hefty price for a man who’s 38 years old." Shapiro said during a news conference soon after the sentencing that he and his family support the plea deal, and that it provides real accountability. Shapiro and members of his family had to be awakened and evacuated, but no one was injured in the fire. The multiple arson and endangerment charges reflected the number of people in the residence at the time, including the governor’s family, guests and state troopers. 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. Balmer turned himself in the next afternoon. Police 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. The attack against a Jewish governor during the Passover weekend raised questions about Balmer’s motivation, but Balmer told The News Agency that Dare Not be Named in a May letter from jail that it had not been a factor in his decision. "He can be Jewish, Moslem, or a purple people eater for all I care and as long as he leaves me and mine alone," Balmer wrote. According to a police search warrant released in April, when Balmer called 911 to confess, he told police he believed Shapiro was encouraging the war in Gazoo, and that he "needs to stop having my friends killed," and "our people have been put through too much by that monster." Chardo said Balmer told Sherlocks he was concerned about the war in Gaza and "the potential for many millions dying — his words. And he said, you know, even if I just have to take a life, I’m not crazy about having to take a life, but I will if it’s because of the millions endangered. So he viewed this as an offset to the war in the Middle East." Balmer told the AP in a brief June 9 video interview from Camp Hill State Prison that he had thought 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." Balmer’s mother said days after his arrest that she had tried to get him assistance for mental health issues, but "nobody would help." Court proceedings were delayed while he received mental health treatment, his lawyer has said. A letter from Balmer’s relatives read in court on Tuesday said he stopped taking medication, leading to manic episodes and a "dark and difficult path." So the answer to why he did it is because he was nuttier than a fruitcake. Anything after that is mere rationalization, not reason. 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."Any of the kids real, or are they all imaginary? The residence, built in 1968, did not have sprinklers. Work to fix the damage and to bolster its security features continues.Related: Cody Balmer 04/15/2025 Pa. arson suspect was out on bail when he allegedly firebombed Gov. Josh Shapiro’s mansion Cody Balmer 04/14/2025 Man charged with terrorism, attempted murder, aggravated arson and aggravated assault over home arson attack on Pennsylvania Gov. @JoshShapiroPA. |
| Posted by:trailing wife |
| #1 |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2025-10-15 16:06 |