HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson teen accused of killing his mother and sister and attempting to kill his father was arraigned on the charges against him Monday morning by District Judge Trish Rose.
Samuel Vonachen, who was fourteen at the time of the alleged crimes, entered “not guilty” pleas to two counts of first-degree murder, two alternate counts of felony murder, attempted first-degree murder and aggravated arson.
Judge Rose, on the request of Vonchen’s attorney Kelly Driscoll, requested a special setting for a pretrial hearing in the case. That has been set for April 17. The judge then set a tentative trial date of May 5.
Vonachen is accused of setting fire to the family home back on Sept. 26, 2013, by pouring gas throughout the house, then lighting it. The blaze killed his mother, Karla Jo Vonachen, and his sister Audrey. The teen’s father was able to escape the fire.
He remains jailed on a $1,000,000 bond, and according to the Reno County Jail log, is being housed out of county.