A Georgia man suspected in the slaying of Brock and AnnieBurnette 20 years ago was formally charged for his allegedinvolvement in the crime Sunday.

Ira A. Boudreaux, 55, a former resident of Jesup, Ga., wascharged on two counts of accessory to murder, said Lawrence CountySheriff Joel Thames.

Boudreaux has been serving time for conspiracy and extortion infederal prisons in Georgia and Florida. Boudreaux is presently inthe Lawrence County Jail following extradition from Florida lastweek, the sheriff said.

“We know there were at least three people involved,” Thamessaid. “One is deceased. The other suspect may be deceased, too. Ihope to have an answer to that in the next couple of days.”

The suspects in the case are all from out of state, the sheriffsaid.

“It doesn’t appear at this time anyone local was involved in theslayings,” Thames said.

The Burnettes were killed on a Friday in February 1986,apparently the victims of a botched burglary attempt at their homeon Holmesville Road.

Annie, 66, was home sick that day with the flu, Thames said.Brock, 65, the owner of an oilfield supply business in Morgan City,La., was last seen when he went to a restaurant on Holmesville Roadto get their dinner.

The couple’s home was discovered burning and their 1985 Buickwas missing later that night.

The couple’s bodies were found in their vehicle the followingMonday on timber company land between Divide and Robinwood. Bothhad been shot by a large caliber handgun.

“They were known to carry large amounts of cash and ownedexpensive jewelry that they kept at their home,” Thames said.

No leads were developed at that time, Thames said, but eachsheriff’s administration since the crime has worked to solve thecase with the assistance of the District Attorney’s office,Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol investigators, State FireMarshal’s office, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the stateattorney general.

Leads developed by previous administrations, as well as his own,identified Boudreaux as a chief suspect, Thames said. The sheriffand a U.S. marshal traveled to a Georgia prison in July 2003 toquestion Boudreaux.

The case was expected to go to the Lawrence County Grand Jury inDecember 2003, but was delayed by the extradition process, thesheriff said.

“That has been my biggest frustration – to get someoneextradited out of the federal system,” Thames said.

The process was further delayed when Boudreaux was transferredfrom the Georgia prison to one in Florida, he said. The county wasfinally able to extradite Boudreaux Tuesday and he was brought tothe jail for further questioning.

Boudreaux will have his initial appearance before a LawrenceCounty judge today, Thames said.

“This has been a long 20-year nightmare for the Burnettefamily,” he said. “I’ve spoken to them and they are sighing inrelief to finally get some closure.”

Thames said he also felt some personal vindication for hisoffice being able to break the case.

“I vaguely knew Mr. and Mrs. Burnette,” Thames said. “But Iremember anyone who was needy or needed help could go to them, andthey would open up their hearts and their pocketbooks.

“They were well-known and well-respected,” the sheriffcontinued. “They would also pass out candy as Mr. and Mrs. SantaClaus at Christmas. I knew them best for that.”