HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The motion to suppress hearing in the Sam Vonachen case, which started last week and resumed Monday, is in recess again.
The defense for the teen accused of two counts of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and aggravated arson wants a number of pieces of evidence suppressed.
During the hearing Monday, the defense questioned Hutchinson Police Detective Scott Carlton over a taped interview they did with the defendant’s father after the deadly fire. They played audio of a 911 call where detectives asked the father if the teen was his son on the tape. He apparently at some point called 911 over the fire and the father told them it was.
The defense also asked Carlton as to why they questioned the father over things and why his son had his blanket and guitar with him, which he apparently took from the home before starting the fire. Carlton says they were conducting the investigation as to what happened. They apparently also asked the father how his son would react if they were to ask hard questions over the fire and the defense inquired about that.
The hearing was continued again on Monday because the defense wants to call one more witness before the hearing concludes. Judge Trish Rose agreed to recess the hearing until Jan. 4.
Vonachen is accused of setting fire to the family home, killing his mother and sister in September of 2013. His father was able to escape.
