The man arrested and charged with the arson attack of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home has pleaded guilty.
The Democratic Governor's home in Harrisburg was the subject to the assault back in April, with police stating how they believed the suspect responsible scaled a seven-foot-high wall, broke into the mansion and used a homemade incendiary device to cause significant damage to a part of the house in the early hours of the morning.
Cody A. Balmer has since pleaded guilty to attempted murder, 22 counts of arson, aggravated arson, burglary and among other offenses at a court hearing today (October 14).
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Dauphin County District Attorney's Office issued the following statement: "Today, Cody A. Balmer pleaded guilty to attempted murder of Governor Josh Shapiro, aggravated arson, 22 counts of arson, one for each of the 22 victims within the residence endangered by the arson, burglary, and related offenses.
"Judge Deborah E. Curcillo accepted a plea agreement offered by District Attorney Fran Chardo. After the defendant's guilty plea to all counts, he received the agreed upon sentence of not less than 25 years or more than 50 years of imprisonment in a state correctional institution.
"Balmer will not be eligible for parole until April 13, 2050. His maximum sentence of imprisonment is 50 years. Balmer was 38 years old at the time of the criminal conduct. He will be first eligible for parole at the age of 63. If he receives parole, he would remain under supervision, through April 13, 2075, at the age of 88."
Video footage depicted Balmer walk up to the property before smashing the windows and lighting a Molotov cocktail and throwing it inside, before then smashing a second window and entering the building.
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The attack took place hours after Shapiro family, who are Jewish, hosted a gathering for the first night of Passover. He was asleep with his wife and three children inside the house at the time - as well as 15 other guests and two Pennsylvania State Police troopers.
More to follow.
Joe Yates