After consultation with his counsel, Cody A. Balmer waived the preliminary hearing scheduled for Wednesday, September 3, 2025, before Magisterial District Judge J. Matthew Pianka. The Court of Common Pleas accepted the waiver and scheduled formal arraignment for October 3, 2025. The defendant also waived his appearance at formal arraignment, but that date will trigger the provision of discovery under the Rules of Criminal Procedure. The charges waived include attempted murder, aggravated arson, terrorism, and recklessly endangering another person. The District Attorney amended the complaint so that it includes 22 counts of arson and 22 counts of reckless endangerment pursuant to caselaw. The criminal complaint charges the presence of 22 victims inside the Governor's Residence at the time that the fire was set. The defendant remains presumed innocent and the waiver of the preliminary hearing merely yields the right to a hearing on whether there is a prima facie case.
Location
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Date
Aug 29, 2025