HARRISBURG, Pa. >> Cody Balmer, the man accused of setting the governor’s mansion ablaze in an attempt on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s life this spring, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and related crimes this morning and was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison.

Balmer, 38, admitted his guilt in the overnight attack on Shapiro’s official residence, which took place just hours after the governor and his family had celebrated Passover there. Police said Balmer walked for more than an hour from his Harrisburg home to the downtown estate around 2 a.m., scaled a fence, and lit several fires using incendiary devices before fleeing the property undetected by security.

The blaze broke out as the governor and his family slept. They were awakened by state troopers and escaped unharmed with the two fami

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