HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The State’s high court has ruled that the writings of a Hutchinson teen accused
Vonachen
of first degree murder in the death of his mother and sister can go before doctors that will determine if he is competent to stand trial.
Sam Vonachen faces two counts of first degree murder for setting fire to the family home in September of 2013. The state argued a motion for forcing the defendant to hand over writings or a journal that the defendant has been doing since his arrest. Senior Assistant District Attorney Steve Maxwell argued that this was not for the state or their case, but rather for the doctors doing a mental evaluation to see if the defendant is competent to stand trial.
The defense called them privileged and asked that the state’s request be denied. On the suggestion of the state, Judge Trish Rose told the defense to provide the writings to her first and then she’ll rule whether they can be released to the doctors.
When she sided with the state the defense filed an appeal in the case which was denied.