HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 15 year old accused of killing his mother and sister and attempting to kill his father made a first appearance in District Court where he will be tried as an adult.

Sam Vonachen, who was a 14 years old at the time of the alleged crimes, has been charged by the state with four counts of first-degree murder, however two of the four counts are alternate counts to the other two. Other charges include attempted first-degree murder and aggravated arson.

It was on Sept. 26, 2013, when he allegedly poured gas throughout the family house at 4 East 19, then lit it. The blaze killed his mother, Karla Jo, and his sister, Audrey. The teen’s father was able to escape the fire.

Assistant District Attorney Steve Maxwell actually read the complaint to the teen and Judge Trish Rose told him that five of the six charges are off-grid felonies with a sentence of life with no chance of parole for 25 years. He was assigned the Regional Public Defender’s Office to represent him in the case and Judge Rose left the bond at $1,000,000.

The case was moved to adult court after Judge Patty Macke-Dick issued a written opinion that he should be tried as an adult.

The murder case will now be placed on a waiver-status docket on Nov. 12 in front of Judge Joe McCarville.