The family of a man charged with setting fire to Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro's mansion over the weekend has highlighted his struggles with mental illness. The suspect's brother said Cody Balmer was treated twice at a psychiatric hospital in recent years.
Also Read: Who is the man accused of setting fire to Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro’s residence?
Balmer's brother Dan told news agency Associated Press, "I was involved in getting Cody treated at the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute. I also gave him a place to live a couple years ago."
He added, "Cody had exhibited disturbing behaviour. He's had ups and downs his whole life with the bipolar. He doesn't believe he's bipolar, so he doesn't take his medicine."
Cody Balmer, who is registered as an unaffiliated voter, tried to convince everybody in the family" to vote for Donald Trump in last year's US presidential election, his brother further stated.
The night before he allegedly attacked Shapiro's residence, Cody Balmer, brother Dan recalled, "flipped over a table containing a jigsaw puzzle" at the home where he lived with their parents.
He said, "I felt Cody was verbally abusive to our parents and used to urge our mother to stand up for herself. I remember specifically telling my mom, 'You need to get mad at him because he's taking advantage of you guys',"
Christie Balmer, their mother, stated she had made phone calls in recent days about Cody mental health, but "nobody would help."
'Arson attack' at Josh Shapiro's home
As per a police affidavit, Balmer had walked an hour from his home to the governor's residence, and during a police interview "admitted to harbouring hatred" towards governor Shapiro.
He turned himself in at state police headquarters after confessing to his former partner and asking her to call police, the affidavit noted, calling it a "carefully planned attack."
The fire caused significant damage and forced Shapiro, his family and guests, including other relatives, to evacuate the building early Sunday. The residence, built in 1968, did not have sprinklers, and the damage is likely to be worth millions of dollars.
Also Read: Who is the man accused of setting fire to Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro’s residence?
Balmer's brother Dan told news agency Associated Press, "I was involved in getting Cody treated at the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute. I also gave him a place to live a couple years ago."
He added, "Cody had exhibited disturbing behaviour. He's had ups and downs his whole life with the bipolar. He doesn't believe he's bipolar, so he doesn't take his medicine."
Cody Balmer, who is registered as an unaffiliated voter, tried to convince everybody in the family" to vote for Donald Trump in last year's US presidential election, his brother further stated.
The night before he allegedly attacked Shapiro's residence, Cody Balmer, brother Dan recalled, "flipped over a table containing a jigsaw puzzle" at the home where he lived with their parents.
He said, "I felt Cody was verbally abusive to our parents and used to urge our mother to stand up for herself. I remember specifically telling my mom, 'You need to get mad at him because he's taking advantage of you guys',"
Christie Balmer, their mother, stated she had made phone calls in recent days about Cody mental health, but "nobody would help."
'Arson attack' at Josh Shapiro's home
As per a police affidavit, Balmer had walked an hour from his home to the governor's residence, and during a police interview "admitted to harbouring hatred" towards governor Shapiro.
He turned himself in at state police headquarters after confessing to his former partner and asking her to call police, the affidavit noted, calling it a "carefully planned attack."
The fire caused significant damage and forced Shapiro, his family and guests, including other relatives, to evacuate the building early Sunday. The residence, built in 1968, did not have sprinklers, and the damage is likely to be worth millions of dollars.
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