Man accused of setting girlfriend on fire pleads not guilty

Darryl Whipple attacked Golden Corral worker inside restaurant, police say

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A man accused of setting his girlfriend on fire inside a Jacksonville Golden Corral pleaded not guilty Monday to attempted murder and criminal mischief charges.

Darryl Whipple, 58, is accused of dousing his girlfriend, 56-year-old Carol Renee Demmons, with flammable liquid and lighting her on fire as she worked behind the dessert counter inside the restaurant on Memorial Park Road, just off Normandy Boulevard, on Oct. 12.

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Whipple, who is being held without bond, was again wearing a red jumpsuit in court, indicating he remains on suicide watch.

His next court date will be Dec. 6.

Demmons is recovering from severe burns.

According to police, the Sheriff’s Office had a warrant out for Whipple’s arrest for domestic battery as a result of an incident with Demmons on Aug. 16.

Whipple was served with the warrant in jail.


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