(pool photo from the Hutchinson News)

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The trial for a local teen accused of the murder of his mother and sister continued with the state challenging a defense expert on her diagnosis of of Samuel Vonachen, who is accused of killing his mother and sister.

Dr. Kathleen Heidi had testifying over her examination of Vonachen who is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder and aggravated arson after allegedly setting a fire to his family’s home back on Sept. 26, 2013.

She told the jury of her conversation with the teen where he described it as being like it was part of a dream. But, the state challenged that asking her about statements he made to police where he stated he wanted to kill people and that people are awful. She says she believes that he suffers from fragmented memory of those events. She also stated that it wasn’t just the interview, but also other corroborative data that led to her conclusion.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Steve Maxwell then asked about him taking his guitar and blanket prior to setting the fire. Dr. Heidi discounted the guitar, but thought him taking the baby blanket as significant in coming to her conclusions. Maxwell also brought up the fact that he told police that wanted people to die and had visions of other crimes including stabbing someone with a sword.

Dr. Heidi stood by her diagnosis, even though two psychologist found that he was able to form intent to commit the murders and that he may a “psychopath.” Maxwell again noted to the jury that she is not a licensed psychologist in Florida where she lives or in the state of Kansas.

Dr. Heidi earlier in the day had told the jury of her interview with the teen and that he couldn’t remember getting to different places like from his bedroom to the downstairs. She also says at times, he says it was like watching himself doing the things he was doing in what she described as an out of body experience.

According to her, he described it as being like it was part of a dream. She says he had fragmented memory of those events. He couldn’t remember getting to different places, like from his bedroom to the downstairs. She also says, at times, he says it was like watching himself doing the things he was doing in what she described as an out-of-body experience.

Before starting the fire, he told her he was laying on his bed, feeling light-headed with his heart pounding, hearing strange things with strange thoughts.

He also remembered going to the garage to get the gas can, but saying again, it was like it was a dream. He then remembered being on the front porch with the gas can and entering the front door, wondering what he was doing, saying it was like a foggy dream. He remembered pouring the gas, but couldn’t recall where he poured it, what rooms or where he was standing when he did it. He told her it “logically didn’t make any sense.” He remembers using a little black lighter in setting the fire.

Later, the doctor told her that he was laying on a sidewalk near Hutchinson High School with a dread feeling, then a sense of urgency came over him, but he didn’t remember the fire. He ran back toward the house, but didn’t know the route he took, according to Dr. Heidi.

He then remembers seeing police cars and remembers telling them, “that’s my house.” He had his baby blanket with him and remembers telling them he didn’t want it to get burned.

He next remembers being at the hospital, but couldn’t recall how he got there and, following that, at his grandparent’s home, but told her it was different with no trees, bushes or a garden. He then remembers being in a bright room with dark edges, which Dr. Heidi thought was probably the interview room at the police station. He couldn’t remember things he told police and told her it wasn’t until he was in the detention center that he believes the dream was over and then it became real that these things did happen, including him pouring the gas inside his home and setting it on fire. He also told the doctor that watching the video of his confession was like watching someone else calling some of his comments ridiculous.

All of this in the defense efforts to argue that, at the time of the crimes, he suffered from a mental disease or defect.

The trial is continuing in District Court.