HUTCHINSON — The Kansas Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of a Kansas man who burned down the family home killing his mother and sister when he was 14-years-old, according to a media release.
Samuel Vonachen, of Hutchinson, who is now 21 years old, was tried as an adult and convicted of two counts of first-degree murder. Vonachen was convicted of setting fire to the family home in September of 2013. While his father got out of the home, his mother and sister were trapped upstairs.
Police found Vonachen walking toward the house, smelling of gasoline. After interrogation, he admitted to burning down the house. He was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder, and one count of aggravated arson.
The defense motion before the Supreme Court stated that Vonachen's rights were violated due to the state's abolishment of the insanity defense. The motion also states that Vonachen's admission to police should have been suppressed and that admission of the defendant's private writings in the trial should not have been allowed.
The court said it reviewed the videotape of the interrogation and that Vonachen was advised of his rights and signed a written waiver. While the interrogation occurred in the evening of the same day of the early morning fire, defendant did not appear to be groggy or ill. Defendant's father was present at the interrogation until defendant asked him to leave. The defendant was 14-years-old and was able to communicate fluently. The interrogation did not exceed a reasonable length of time. The officers did not employ unfair or coercive tactics in conducting the interview.
A large part of the trial centered around Vonachen’s mental state. The defendant went through numerous mental evaluations and the defense continuously brought up the defendant’s mental state during the trial and on appeal. The jury rejected numerous claims of mental disease or defect and convicted him on all counts.
He is not eligible for parole until 2039.