Arkansas man accused of setting ex-girlfriend on fire now faces murder charge

Kordarro Woodard
Kordarro Woodard

A Blytheville man accused of setting his ex-girlfriend on fire had his charge bumped to murder Monday and was also found in contempt of court for arguing with the judge, police said.

Kordarro Woodard, 25, had been in custody since June 19 after police said he violated a protection order and doused Martha George, 37, in gasoline and set her on fire, burning up to 80 percent of her body.

It was previously reported that George died Friday afternoon at a hospital in Memphis.

Blytheville police Capt. Scott Adams said Woodard began questioning District Judge Shannon Langston on Monday after his charge was changed to first-degree murder and his bail raised to $500,000.

Adams said in a email that Woodard was combative and clarified over the phone that he was heard "mouthing off" to the judge.

It was not immediately clear if Woodard's video arraignment in front of the judge was recorded.

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