Gallman, Mississippi (CNN) -- A 42-year-old man was charged Wednesday with arson and two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of a woman and her 7-year-old son in Mississippi. 

Wearing a bulletproof vest, Timothy Burns appeared in Copiah County Justice Court. He said he has no lawyer, so one will be appointed to him. 

No bond was set. 

He's being held in the deaths of Atira Hughes-Smith and Jaidon Hill. The boy's stepfather, Laterry Smith, was also killed. 

There's some question as to whether Smith was killed in a different county, said Copiah County Sheriff Harold Jones, explaining why Burns was charged with two, rather than three, counts of murder. 

There's no indication the suspect had anything against the three victims, the sheriff noted, nor that he even knew them. 

"We don't think there is (a relationship)," Jones said. "But we haven't tied that loose end up yet." 

The seeming randomness of the crime makes the deaths all the more inexplicable to loved ones, as well as to neighbors in the city of Brandon they called home. 

As Vinson Jenkins, Hughes-Smith's cousin, said: "We don't know why anybody would want to do any harm to them." 

The family was last seen Friday in a car that was later found flipped and on fire. 

The Copiah County sheriff says authorities now believe that Burns was driving that car when he got in an accident, then set it ablaze. Was he alone at the time? Jones said he has "no way of knowing that right now." 
Who was charged with arson and 2 counts of murder?
What was his name?
How old was he?
Who did he kill?
Where?
What were the names of the victims?
Why was he tried with only 2 counts instead of 3?
Was there a bond set?
Which county is he being tried in?
What is the name of the victims cousin?
When were they last seen?
Where at?
What condition was the car in?
Who does the sheriff feel is responsible for the car accident?
Was he alone?
Did he have anything against the victims?
Did he wear a bulletproof vest to court?
Does he have an attorney?
Will one be appointed to him?
a man
A 42-year-old man was charged Wednesday with arson and two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of a woman and her 7-year-old son in Mississippi. 
Timothy Burns
Wearing a bulletproof vest, Timothy Burns appeared in Copiah County Justice Court. He said he has no lawyer, so one will be appointed to him. 
42-years-old
A 42-year-old man was charged Wednesday with arson and two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of a woman and her 7-year-old son in Mississippi. 
a woman and her 7-year-old son
A 42-year-old man was charged Wednesday with arson and two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of a woman and her 7-year-old son in Mississippi. 
Mississippi
A 42-year-old man was charged Wednesday with arson and two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of a woman and her 7-year-old son in Mississippi. 
Atira Hughes-Smith, Jaidon Hil, Laterry Smith
He's being held in the deaths of Atira Hughes-Smith and Jaidon Hill. The boy's stepfather, Laterry Smith, was also killed. 
There's some question as to whether Smith was killed in a different county
There's some question as to whether Smith was killed in a different county, said Copiah County Sheriff Harold Jones, explaining why Burns was charged with two, rather than three, counts of murder. 
No
No bond was set. 
Copiah County
Wearing a bulletproof vest, Timothy Burns appeared in Copiah County Justice Court. He said he has no lawyer, so one will be appointed to him. 
Vinson Jenkins
As Vinson Jenkins, Hughes-Smith's cousin, said: "We don't know why anybody would want to do any harm to them." 
Friday
The family was last seen Friday in a car that was later found flipped and on fire. 
in a car
The family was last seen Friday in a car that was later found flipped and on fire. 
flipped and on fire
The family was last seen Friday in a car that was later found flipped and on fire.
Burns
The Copiah County sheriff says authorities now believe that Burns was driving that car when he got in an accident, then set it ablaze. 
no way of knowing
Was he alone at the time? Jones said he has "no way of knowing that right now."
No
There's no indication the suspect had anything against the three victims, the sheriff noted, nor that he even knew them. 
Yes
Wearing a bulletproof vest, Timothy Burns appeared in Copiah County Justice Court. He said he has no lawyer, so one will be appointed to him. 
No
He said he has no lawyer, so one will be appointed to him. 
Yes
Wearing a bulletproof vest, Timothy Burns appeared in Copiah County Justice Court. He said he has no lawyer, so one will be appointed to him. 