Second Arrest Made In Family Murder

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – A second suspect has been charged in the death of three family members in Mississippi.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation says 30-year-old Cedric D. Mason of Jackson was arrested late Wednesday on two counts of capital murder and two counts of kidnapping.

He was taken to the Copiah County jail, investigators say.

Meanwhile, 42-year-old Timothy Ladell Burns of Jackson has been charged with two counts of murder and arson and is being held without bond following his initial appearance Wednesday in Copiah County Justice Court.

Authorities found the family’s wrecked and burned vehicle Saturday in a remote area southwest of Jackson.

Investigators say Burns led them to the bodies of 7-year-old Jaidon Hill, 30-year-old Atira Hughes-Smith and 34-year-old Laterry Smith at an abandoned house about a mile from the vehicle.