Man pleads guilty to setting Pennsylvania governor’s mansion on fire; sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison

The Dauphin County District Attorney’s office released the video of 38-year-old Cody Balmer breaking into the governor’s home and setting it on fire.

Reports say that the repairs of the home governor’s mansion are going to cost about $6 million in public funds.

Governor Josh Shapiro stated, “It’s especially hard to know that he tried to burn our family to death while we slept.” He added, “We’re confident it will get better, but we also know it’s going to always be with us.”

In the surveillance video, you can see Cody Balmer breaking a window with a sledgehammer. He throws a flaming cocktail through that broken window. Balmer proceeded to break a second window, which is how he entered the home. You then see Balmer attempting to kick down multiple doors that led to where the governor and his family slept.

After multiple unsuccessful attempts to break the door, Balmer then threw another flaming cocktail before exiting the residence.

Balmer pleaded guilty to attempted murder, 22 counts of arson, and other related offenses. He will not be eligible for parole until April 13, 2050.