The family of a Durham man missing since March continues to search for answers about his disappearance.
On Tuesday, a judge denied bail reduction for Darrius Tyson, who is charged with conspiracy to commit murder and the kidnapping of Shawn Burton.
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Last week, two other people were also indicted in connection with Burton's disappearance.
Tariq Henderson and Brentley Yancey were charged with first-degree kidnapping, second-degree burglary and conspiracy to commit murder.
Burton’s wife, who asked not to be identified by WRAL News for safety reasons, and her six children are hoping for answers.
"I’m trying to be as normal as possible, but I have my days, because I have to keep pushing for my kids," she said. "And my ultimate goal is to try to find Shawn."
Burton's wife said she was feeling optimistic about new charges.
"I definitely feel like that’s a step closer, because the more people that’s involved are caught, the better chance of them telling us where Shawn is located," she said.
Tyson’s attorney, Sean Ramkaransingh, aired his frustrations during Tuesday's hearing about a lack of discovery provided by the state. Tyson has been in jail since early May.
"I’m just asking that he be released on an unsecured bond," Ramkaransingh said. "I don’t know what else to do besides come here to court and ask for a bond hearing so we can get the ball rolling."
The Durham District Attorney's Office argued Tyson is a danger to the public, and discovery is taking time as they redact witness names and addresses.
"This is a serious case. There is probable cause that has been established. A $2 million bond is appropriate," said Assistant District Attorney Mary Jude Darrow.
The DA’s Office points to Tyson’s criminal record as well. Tyson began serving a sentence for second-degree murder in 2010, but he was released early in 2020 after concerns about ineffective counsel and misrepresentation of evidence by the state. The state said that 2010 trial is pending.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Durham Assistant District Attorney Mary Jude Darrow laid out the case for the judge.
Burton disappeared around midnight on March 22, Darrow said. He was picked up from a home on Front Street and driven to Duke Street in Durham.
Darrow said video from a Ring doorbell showed Burton using a key to get into the building with three men behind him holding guns. Authorities said they believe one of those three men is Tyson.
When law enforcement arrived at the Duke Street building, they said it had been ransacked and there was blood in the kitchen. Law enforcement tracked phone numbers and vehicles, prosecutors said, and established that Tyson's car, Burton's car and a third car drove together from Durham to Henderson.
Darrow said the vehicles stayed in Henderson for a period of time, then traveled to Warren County, back to Henderson and back to Durham.
On March 23, Burton's truck was found parked on a railroad track in Warren County with blood inside. Authorities then tracked Tyson’s vehicle and seized it. That vehicle allegedly had blood inside as well.
"To this date the victim has not been located," Darrow said. "Cadaver dogs have been used. No one knows on the law enforcement side what happened to the victim."
For Burton’s wife, not knowing where her husband is has been difficult to discuss with her children.
"It’s just been tough," she said. "I still haven’t explained to them exactly what’s going on and it’s just very heartbreaking."
She’s asking anyone involved in Burton’s disappearance to come forward.
"Just do the right thing. Just let us know where Shawn is. It’s been six months now."