Man who torched Gov. Shapiro's residence sentenced for assaulting ex-wife, stepkids

The arsonist who threw two incendiary devices into the Governor’s Residence in April, saying he wanted to kill Gov. Josh Shapiro, has received a second sentence Tuesday on charges related to a 2023 domestic violence incident.

Cody Balmer, 38, of Penbrook pleaded guilty to three counts of simple assault in the January 2023 incident involving his ex-wife and stepchildren for which he got a new two-year sentence.

Balmer appeared in court without the fanfare and press gaggle rollout he received in October, when he pleaded guilty to attempting to kill Shapiro during the April 13 early morning firebombing that caused millions of dollars in damage.

At that Oct. 14 hearing, the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office played videos described by Dauphin County Judge Deborah Curcillo as “horrific” and “frightening beyond belief.”

“The videos speak for themselves,” Curcillo said as she sentenced Balmer to 25 to 50 years in prison at that hearing.

The April attack happened as Shapiro and his family began their Passover holiday. Balmer later told police had he encountered Shapiro after breaking in, he planned to use the hammer to beat him.

On Tuesday, Curcillo tacked on an additional two years for the 2023 incident to run at the same time as his weighty arson sentence. She also ordered him to pay a $25 fine and complete counseling in prison, and didn’t make any further comment on the high-profile defendant.

On Jan. 29, 2023, after swallowing a bottle full of pills in an attempt to kill himself, Balmer got into an argument with his ex-wife that eventually involved his 13-year-old and 10-year-old stepsons.

Balmer shoved the 13-year-old then punched and bit his ex-wife, according to Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo, who represented the state in the proceeding.

Balmer then punched the 10-year-old boy and stepped on the boy’s broken leg, Chardo said.

Chardo told Curcillo he stayed in touch with Balmer’s ex-wife through the case and said she approved of how it resolved in court.

Bryan Walk, Balmer’s attorney with the Dauphin County Public Defender’s Office, told Curcillo his office originally expected to resolve the case with a probationary sentence and mental health treatment. But circumstances change — that was before Balmer firebombed Shapiro’s mansion, he said.

Balmer did not make a statement in court Tuesday. His attorneys declined to comment following the proceeding.