Reno County Juvenile Judge Patty Macke-Dick took under advisement over whether future court hearings involving a 14-year-old boy accused of murder, attempted murder and aggravated arson should be closed to the media and the public.

That decision came during a hearing involving Sam Vonachen Tuesday in Reno County Juvenile Court. He’s accused in the killing of his mother and sister, an attempt to kill his father and setting the family home on fire which resulted in the two deaths.

Judge Patty Macke-Dick took up two defense motions. The one of most interest involves Defense Attorney Greg Bell wanting to seal the court file, close all hearings and have a gag order issued in the case. That would prohibit anyone involved in the case from making any statements to the media and others outside the courtroom.

He cited the wording of the motion by District Attorney Keith Schroeder to prosecute the 14-year-old as an adult as “shocking” and “sensationalized.” He called it pandering to the media, and found it unfortunate that the information came out prior to the funerals of the two victims. The father of the suspect wanted to be at the hearing, but decided against it because of possible media attention, that according to Bell. Bell says keeping the hearings and the file open are not in his clients “best interest.”

The Hutchinson News did file a motion with the court to keep the hearings open, which is done by at least one media outlet anytime the court is considering closing up a high profile case. Judge Macke-Dick stated she wanted to look over that motion before issuing a written opinion.

The other motion was for discovery which the state indicated they haven’t even received any thus far. The judge did ask the state to make sure the defense gets all evidence as they get it. Assistant District Attorney Cheryl Allen assured the court that would happen.

The motion to prosecute the teen as an adult did not come up as expected. That will come at a future hearing.

In that motion, Schroeder stated that the teen confessed to planning and executing his mother and sister and the attempt on his father. The motion goes on to say that he designed the fire to trap them in the upstairs bedrooms and poured gas throughout the downstairs twice to “do a thorough job.” He allegedly waited until they were in bed before pouring the gas in the doorways and stairway to block their escape.

Again, Judge Partty Macke-Dick took the matters under advisement.