DURANT - A Durant man has been convicted of being involved with a murder that happened more than two years ago by helping bury the body in a crime.

John Edward Cook, 21, has pleaded no contest to being an accessory to first-degree murder for the September 2005 slaying of Scotty Dean Sheffield, 23.

Cook was sentenced to 20 years in prison. The last five years of the sentence are suspended. He also pleaded no contest to drug possession with intent to distribute and possession of methamphetamine. He was hit with 10-year prison terms on those charges, but all sentences will be served concurrently.

Authorities said that Sheffield was slain by Kevin Leon Cross, 25, and Gary Wayne Olsen, 23, who are half-brothers. Investigators found Sheffield's body in a shallow grave east of Durant near the Blue River after receiving a tip.

According to the sheriff's office, Sheffield had been beaten and shot. Cook was accused of going back and helping bury the body. Investigators said Sheffield was murdered because he was a witness in another case against Cross.

A massive search began for the half-brothers after charges were filed and they were nabbed in Mexico. Cross later escaped from the Bryan County Jail and was captured near Bennington.

Cross pleaded no contest to first-degree murder last year and was given a life sentence. Olsen entered a plea in September to accessory after the fact to first-degree murder and was sentenced to 45 years in prison.

A case remains against one more suspect. Melissa Michelle Poore, 27, was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon for allegedly bringing Sheffield to the area where he was subsequently slain. Poore is scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 15.