HUTCHINSON, Kan. – More motions were presented Friday in the case of 16-year-old Samuel 
Vonachen. He’s accused of two counts of first degree murder for setting fire to the family home in September of 2013 that killed his mother and sister.
Despite a $1 million bond, and strong opposition by Reno County Youth Service Director Bill Hermes, Judge Trish Rose granted the defense motion to allow Vonachen to be transferred from the Reno County Correctional Facility to Youth Detention. Rose granted the motion with out letting Senior Assistant District Attorney Steven Maxwell finish his argument and with out letting Maxwell present evidence arguing that the teen is a danger to other youth.
Rose stated that the defendant has no record of misbehaving at the center, and noted that if something does happen, she could send Vonachen back to the correctional facility.
The trial for Vonachen has been delayed several times while a third evaluation is done to determine if the teen is competent to stand trial. This despite the fact that several evaluations were completed and the defense filed the motion well beyond the allowable time limits. All prior evaluations determined that the defendant is competent to stand trial. A hearing on the third motion will be heard later this month.
The trial for Vonachen has been put indefinite hold pending the out come of that hearing.