US EditionCody Balmer, Accused of Attempted Homicide and Arson, Has Preliminary Hearing Waived in Harrisburg
Cody Balmer faces 50 felony and misdemeanor charges after waiving preliminary hearing and arraignment in connection with the April 14 firebombing at the Pennsylvania Governor's Residence.
- Cody A. Balmer, aged 38, was accused of attempting to burn down Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's residence on April 14, 2025, while Shapiro and guests slept inside.
- Balmer's attack involved climbing the residence fence, breaking windows, and deploying Molotov cocktails, motivated by political views linked to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
- Authorities discovered gasoline-filled bottles and gasoline-scented gloves matching those worn by Balmer in security footage, while Balmer contacted emergency services following the fire and acknowledged his awareness of the potential danger his actions posed.
- Balmer faces 50 charges including 22 counts of arson, attempted homicide, burglary, and terrorism, with the complaint amended to match the number of people inside during the fire.
- Balmer waived his preliminary hearing scheduled for September 3 and formal arraignment on October 3, remains held at SCI-Camp Hill, and awaits future court appearances while having received mental health treatment.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Meadville Tribune
Defendant in arson at governor's mansion waives hearing, moves case to county court
HARRISBURG — The accused arsonist who attacked the official Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence advanced his criminal case to Dauphin County Court, waiving the opportunity to contest evidence in a preliminary hearing in district court and seek the dismissal of charges.
Pennsylvania Capital-Star
Preliminary hearing waived for the man suspected of firebombing the Governor’s Residence last April
Cody Balmer, charged with attempted murder and terrrorism in the firebombing of Gov. Josh Shapiro's official residence Sunday, is escorted from his first court appearance Monday, April 14, 2025. (Ian Karbal/Capital-Star)The preliminary hearing for the man accused of firebombing the Governor’s Residence in April is being waived. That means the case will move on to arraignment in Dauphin County Court, though nothing is scheduled yet. Cody Balmer, …
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