A Mehlville Fire Protection District firefighter facing federal murder-for-hire and conspiracy charges last week was denied bail.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary Ann Medler ordered Dec. 31 that 49-year-old James K. Kornhardt of Dittmer be detained in jail awaiting trial, according to U.S. District Court officials.

Kornhardt now has an evidentiary hearing set for 10 a.m. Jan. 29 in U.S. District Court.

Kornhardt, who until Dec. 31 served as vice president of Local 1889 of the International Association of Fire Fighters, was arrested Dec. 12 at Firehouse No. 5.

Kornhardt and Karen K. Coleman of Arnold were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to the murder of Coleman’s husband, Danny Coleman, in October 1992.

Federal prosecutors say Karen Coleman paid Kornhardt and others to facilitate Danny Coleman’s murder so she could profit from several insurance policies.

Kornhardt and Coleman both have pleaded not guilty.

On Dec. 16, Medler ordered that Coleman be held in jail awaiting trial because of her history of mental-health problems and use of cocaine and methamphetamine.

But Scott Rosenblum, Kornhardt’s defense attorney, told Medler at a Dec. 17 detention hearing that because of Kornhardt’s honorable military history, 24 years of experience as a firefighter and responsibilities as a married father of three children, he is not a flight risk and should be granted bail. Rosenblum also noted that when Kornhardt previously was questioned in 2000 and 2003 about Danny Coleman’s death, he stayed put.

But Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Dittmeier argued that Kornhardt is “dangerous” and that “some co-conspirators (now cooperating with prosecutors) would be at risk” if Kornhardt is released on bail.

Dittmeier added that evidence shows Kornhardt’s fingerprint was found on a box of matches discarded in bushes near the Franklin County field where Danny Coleman’s bludgeoned body was burned inside his truck. He also noted that unlike Kornhardt’s previous questionings in 2000 and 2003, Kornhardt is now aware that his fingerprint was found.

Karen Coleman in 1990 recruited prison inmate Larry G. Nolan to arrange the murder of her husband so that she could collect on several insurance policies, the indictment alleges. Nolan, who died in prison in 1997, recruited Kornhardt to commit the murder, according to the indictment.

Karen Coleman agreed to pay Nolan and Kornhardt from the proceeds of the insurance policies, the indictment alleges.

In October 1992, Karen Coleman mailed a letter to Nolan explaining Danny Coleman’s activities, movement, habits and other information so Kornhardt would have knowledge and access to him, the indictment states. On Oct. 22, 1992, Danny Coleman left work at roughly 4 p.m.

The indictment alleges, “Danny H. Coleman was later murdered by James K. Kornhardt. Danny H. Coleman’s body and truck were found burnt in an isolated field located in Franklin County, Mo. James K. Kornhardt discarded a box of matches in the isolated field after setting the fire.”