Josh Shapiro Suspected Arsonist Says He Hates PA Governor ... Would Have Beat Him With Hammer

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The man accused of setting Governor Josh Shapiro's Pennsylvania home on fire confessed to the shocking crime after ordering his ex-girlfriend to drop a dime on him to the police, according to new court records.

Cody Balmer was arrested Sunday by the Pennsylvania State Police after his former girlfriend allegedly told police Balmer admitted to setting fire to the governor's house and asked her to tell the authorities.

The docs say shortly thereafter Balmer surrendered at Pennsylvania State Police headquarters and gave a blow-by-blow account of the incident, telling officers he was "harboring hatred towards Governor Shapiro."

Balmer said he siphoned gasoline from a lawn mower at his own home and poured it into empty Heineken bottles he collected on his property. He said he took a one-hour stroll to the governor's home while carrying the Molotov cocktails.

Once there, Balmer said he climbed a fence around the perimeter, smashed two windows with a hammer he brought with him, and tossed the Molotov cocktails inside the governor's home.

Balmer said he knew his actions would have "negative consequences" and that Shapiro and his family could have been injured, while he was lurking inside the home.

Even worse, Balmer admitted if the governor had encountered him, he would have beaten Shapiro with the hammer.

At the time, the governor was inside the residence with his wife, their four children, two dogs and another family they had celebrated Passover with on Saturday night. Both families, along with Shapiro, evacuated safely, though part of house was badly burned.

Prosecutors charged Balmer with criminal attempted homicide, aggravated arson, burglary, terrorism and other offenses.

On Sunday, Shapiro held a press conference, saying in part, "When we were in the state dining room last night, we told the story of Passover. I refuse to be trapped by the bondage that someone attempted to put on me by attacking us as they did last night.”

Stars At Coachella Day 3 Thrice As Nice As Weekend 1 Goes Off!

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Palm Springs was moving slow for day 3 after an absolutely insane Saturday night ... but the celebrity partiers pulled it together and rallied for one more debaucherous day in the desert for the Coachella Music and Arts Festival headlined by Post Malone!

Justin Bieber shared a shirtless selfies relaxing after hosting his exclusive party at the fest, David Dobrik and Natalie Noel were photographed blissfully spending some time off their feet and Landon Barker mustered up a peace sign while sitting poolside on his Sunday with his sis.

Alabama Barker and some friends dipped into the Sunday vibes by hanging poolside at an estate and sharing some hot shots and heart hands while wearing some revealing swimsuits.

The Miz Not Shocked John Cena Turned Heel ... I've Been Saying It for Years!!!

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EVERYONE LOVES A HEEL
TMZSports.com

John Cena shocked the wrestling world when he turned heel on Cody Rhodes ... but The Miz didn't bat an eye -- 'cause he tells TMZ Sports he's ALWAYS known he was a bad guy!!

We caught up with the WWE Superstar out at LAX ... and he gloated quite a bit over the fact he called this development from a mile away -- like, more than 10 YEARS ago!!

"Do you not remember WrestleMania 27 going into the main event," Miz said. "Do you not remember all the promos that I have cut on John Cena? All the feuds I've had with John Cena?"

Los Angeles County D.A. Sorry Menendezes Didn't Get Warning About Crime Scene Photos ... But Hearings Are Where Truth Comes to Light

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The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office is apologizing to the Menendez family for not giving advanced warning that crime scene photos would be shown at a recent hearing ... but, they add the choice was made to show the full truth.

In a statement to TMZ ... the L.A. County D.A.'s Office tells us they apologize for the upsetting nature of the crime scene photos they showed -- adding it wasn't the office's intention to upset the members of the family.

However, we're told these hearings are "intended to be a place where the truth, no matter how painful, is brought to light" ... so, the photos needed to be shown in order to depict the brutality of the crime.

Al Fresco Decor Entertain In Style Cool Patio Essentials!

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TMZ may collect a share of sales or other compensation from links on this page.

Warmer weather is on the way ... and it's about time you got your patio prepped for summer entertaining!

Whether you're hosting an evening kickback, a family dinner, or Sunday brunch with your best buds ... we have what you need to give your backyard the upgrade it deserves.

From chic dining sets to fire pits and colorful string lights, these outdoor essentials will have you living that al fresco life in style.

3-Piece Outdoor Wicker Bistro Set

If your patio is short on space, the YITAHOME 3-Piece Outdoor Wicker Bistro Set just might just be the perfect fit.

Pennsylvania Governor's Mansion Burned on Passover ... Josh Shapiro, Family Safely Evacuated

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Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were evacuated from the Pennsylvania Governor's Residence after celebrating Passover when a man allegedly set fire to the building ... and, the suspected arsonist is now in custody.

Cody Balmer -- a 38-year-old man from Harrisburg, PA -- was arrested after cops say he hopped over a fence onto the property and forcibly entered the residence before setting it ablaze.

Photos of the fire damage show the inside of this part of the residence -- a large room meant for holding big gatherings -- burned badly ... with ashes covering the floor and tables while only a stack of plates in the center of one table seemed to have survived.

Kyren Lacy NFL Hopeful Dead From Suspected Gunshot Wound, Cops Say

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Former Louisiana State University wide receiver Kyren Lacy is suspected to have died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a police pursuit ... TMZ has learned.

According to documents and law enforcement sources ... a call for service in the Houston area regarding a weapons disturbance was made around 11:15 PM Saturday night in the Houston area -- with the reportee allegedly telling officers Lacy, her family member, got into a verbal argument with her and then fired a weapon into the ground before fleeing the scene.

Cops say they spotted Lacy's car and attempted to pull him over, but say Lacy drove off, leading to a vehicular police pursuit.

Cort On 'iCarly' 'Memba Him?!

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American actor Daniel Booko was 27 years old when he played Cort -- the clumsy and good-looking intern for iCarly -- on Nickelodeon's sitcom "iCarly" back in 2011.

Daniel Booko was part of an ensemble cast including Miranda Cosgrove as the kind teenager who loves her friends, family and her web show, Carly, Jennette McCurdy as Carly's sarcastic bestie, Sam, who's a tad lazy and Nathan Kress as the show's camera operator and straight-A student, Freddie.

Years later, Daniel married Miss USA 2014, Nia Sanchez, and the two are on Bravo's reality show "The Valley."

Guess what he looks like now!

Menendez Family D.A. Didn't Prepare Us For Graphic Crime Scene Photos ... Now, Erik & Lyle's Aunt Is in the Hospital!!!

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The Menendez family is blaming the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office for the hospitalization of Terry Baralt -- Erik and Lyle's aunt ... claiming the graphic crime scene photos they were shown did a number on her health.

In a press release from the Justice for Erik and Lyle Coalition -- a collective of family members fighting for the brothers' release -- the group confirmed our story that Baralt had been found unresponsive in her hotel room.

The coalition says the D.A.'s office didn't give the family a heads up that they would be presenting photos of the crime scene at Friday's resentencing hearing ... a violation of Marsy's Law, a law designed to protect the victims of crimes.

Cardi B Playing the 'Bongos' at REVOLVE Festival ... Twerks, Smacks Butt in Crowd!!!

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GETTING DOWN!!!
Instagram / @sweetteawithmadi

Cardi B gave fans at a REVOLVE Festival a private concert on her "Bongos" ... smacking her booty like a drum while twerking at the exclusive event.

The rapper took the stage in Thermal, California ... forgoing Coachella for the invite-only hip hop-focused fest -- and, at one point during the show, she bent forward at the waist and went into overdrive.

Check out the clip ... Cardi's standing above the crowd -- twerking and smacking her booty while fans film and a few even reach out to smack her too, with which it seems she's surprisingly cool.

YouTuber Ve'ondre Mitchell Always Ready For Her Close-Up ... Hottest Shots on 21st Birthday!!!

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YouTuber Ve'ondre Mitchell's making waves online ... and, it looks like she's always ready to surf those waves in a bikini!

The social media star's celebrated a big milestone Sunday ... turning 21 -- and, we've compiled all of her best looks for a hot shots gallery commemorating the day, proving she can pull off any bikini, no matter the shade.

While many might dress up for a night out on the town, Ve'ondre has proven she doesn't need to wear much of anything to look chic -- showing off here in a barely-there white bra and matching skirt.

Chris Brown & Karrueche Tran Reconnect at Coachella ... Years After She Was Granted Restraining Order

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Chris Brown used to have to stay away from Karrueche Tran for legal reasons ... now, he's saying what's up to her in the desert -- chatting with his ex at Coachella.

The singer-songwriter was photographed chatting with the actress at the popular music festival in Indio, California Saturday ... both smiling big while taking in the show.

You gotta see these pics for yourself ... the two stars are speaking amicably, leaving quite a bit of distance between them -- with Tran even laughing at something Brown said it seems.

Stormi Webster Skips Bedtime For Rap Show ... Watches Dad Travis Scott's Coachella Performance!!!

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LATE NIGHT FUN!!!
TMZ.com

Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott's daughter must've taken a midday nap Saturday -- 'cause she was up into the wee hours of Sunday morning ... cheering on her dad while he rocked Coachella.

TMZ has obtained the video of little Stormi -- just seven years old -- sitting on a family friend's shoulder in what we're told is a VIP area for Travis' loved ones ... laughing it up with the adults around her while they all bounce to TS' music.

We're told Stormi was in the same VIP area as Justin Bieber and Fai Khadra ... longtime pals of Travis and his ex, Kylie.

Aimee Lou Wood I Get 'SNL' Makes Jokes ... But Parody of Me Was Just So Mean!!!

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Aimee Lou Wood gets satire ... but, a recent joke about her on "Saturday Night Live" clearly stung -- 'cause she called the parody of her straight-up mean.

The actress weighed in on the long-running comedy show's parody of "The White Lotus," called "The White POTUS" ... a political skewering of the popular HBO show, the third season of which just aired.

ICYMI ... different political figures are depicted -- including Jon Hamm playing Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., shown to be dating a character based on Wood.

Actress Jean Marsh Dead at 90 ... 'Willow,' 'Return to Oz' Star

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Jean Marsh -- a longtime British star who appeared in several hit '80s movies -- has passed away ... TMZ has confirmed.

Lesley Duff -- Marsh's longtime agent -- tells us Jean did indeed pass away Sunday while also sharing a statement from Michael Lindsay-Hogg -- a pioneer in the music video industry and pal of Marsh's -- revealing she passed at her home in London Sunday due to complications of dementia.

Lindsay-Hogg says he and Marsh were close for 60 years, speaking almost daily over the last 40 ... adding she was a wise, funny, pretty, kind person -- talented as both an actress and writer -- who was loved by everyone who met her.

Marsh began her screen career in the late 1940s ... appearing in a series of uncredited roles in smaller shows before grabbing bit parts on "The Twilight Zone" and "I Spy" as well as a small role in the Elizabeth Taylor-led flick "Cleopatra."

Donald Trump Hugs RFK Jr. ... Snubs Cheryl Hines at UFC Event

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ESPN

President Trump gave RFK Jr.'s wife, Cheryl Hines, the cold shoulder, refusing to shake her hand as he made the rounds at UFC 314 in Florida Saturday night.

The Commander in Chief kicked things off by making a grand entrance to the event in Miami, entering the arena to thunderous applause with UFC bigwig Dana White and shaking hands with supporters.

When he finally got to RFK Jr. standing in the crowd, Trump gave a light hug to his Secretary of Health and Human Services, but then snubbed Hines.