HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A man who climbed an iron fence in the middle of the night, eluded police and used beer bottles filled with gasoline to set the occupied Pennsylvania governor's mansion on fire pleaded guilty Tuesday to attempted murder and other charges.
Cody Ballmer, 38, also admitted to terrorism, 22 counts of arson, aggravated arson, burglary, aggravated assault against Gov. Josh Shapiro, 21 counts of reckless endangerment and celebration during the April 13 attack that caused millions of dollars in damage to a state brick building.
As part of the plea agreement, Ballmer was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison.
Shapiro and his family had to be awakened and evacuated, but no one was injured. The multiple arson and menacing charges reflect the number of people at the residence at the time, including the governor's family, guests and state troopers.
The fire was set a few hours after the residence celebrated the Jewish holiday of Passover with a Seder. Prosecutors showed video clips that showed exploding Molotov cocktails and a figure inside and outside the residence. Judge Deborah Curcillo called the video “horrifying” and “very frightening.”
According to court documents, Ballmer told police he planned to beat Shapiro with a small sledgehammer if he confronted him after breaking into the building. The next day, Ballmer appeared in court on charges of attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault.
Police say Ballmer forced his way through the south wing of the residence into a room often used for entertaining crowds and displaying art. Investigators found two broken glass beer bottles containing gasoline. The fire burned the walls, tables, serving utensils, plates and piano. Window glass and brick around doors and windows were also damaged.
Shapiro's Jewish faith and the Easter weekend attack raised questions about Ballmer's motives, but Ballmer told The Associated Press in a May letter from prison that it did not influence his decision.
“He could be a Jew, a Muslim, or a violet people eater for all I care, as long as he leaves me and me alone,” Ballmer wrote.
In a brief video interview June 9 from Camp Hill State Prison, he said he thought ahead about whether children might be harmed.
“Does anyone ever think about children?” Ballmer said in June. “It doesn't look like it. I'm sure as hell of it. I'm glad no one got hurt.” Asked why he thought Shapiro had treated him wrong, Ballmer said, “I'm not going to answer that question.”
Ballmer's mother said in the days after his arrest that she tried to get him help for his mental health problems, but “nobody helped.” The trial was postponed while he received mental health treatment, his lawyer said.
At a court hearing days after the fire, Ballmer told the judge he was an unemployed welder with no income or savings and “a lot of kids.”
The house, built in 1968, did not have sprinklers. Work continues to repair damage and enhance safety features.
