He said he was not happy with the result either, but he noted that two experts one from the state, and the other for the defense determined Harrouff was insane. ", "There are no words we can offer to give any real comfort for this tragic loss," the statement says. Not only for myself but for my family. "Forensically, given the above findings, absent evidence of drug usage at the time of the incident, and observations made by first responding law-enforcement officers . Austin Harrouff, the 25-year-old accused of stabbing a Florida couple to death and biting the face of the male victim in 2016, will be sent to a mental hospital instead of prison, according to court documents. Funeral services are held for John Stevens and Michelle Mishcon, the victims of an alleged attack by Austin Harrouff in Tequesta. / CNN. The retired couple were enjoying what seemed to be another perfect Florida night togther, sitting in their "garage ma hall". Was Austin insane? Michelles brother Mason Mishcon said. They said they will ask for the death penalty in any future case. Harrouff also will be charged with attempted first-degree murder in the stabbing of Fisher, according to a statement from Trisha Kukuvka, a spokeswoman for Martin County Sheriff William Snyder. A neighbor, Jeff Fisher, tried to intervene when he heard the commotion outside, but he was also attacked by Harrouff. 2023 Cable News Network. Become a member to support the independent voice of South Florida schedules a Nov. 4 trial date for Austin Harrouff. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. I love you to the deep blue and beyond. [emailprotected]. "clear and convincing" standard wrongly shifts the burden of proof from the state to the defendant. But Harrouff. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said evidence shows Austin Harrouff, 19, a Florida State University student whose father lives near the slain couple, killed them. denies Austin Harrouff's defense attorneys' motion to find Florida's insanity defense law unconstitutional. She said that she had begun writing her victim impact statement when she was "naive enough" to think there would be justice. Phil interview. All rights reserved, Humane Society of Broward County Kicks Off VCA Walk for the Animals in Fort Lauderdale, BSO Searching forMissing 11-Year-Old Girl From Pompano Beach, Miami-Dade Mayor, State Attorney Announce New Measures to Protect HOA Residents, Check Your Change! Harrouff had gone to his hometown with fraternity brothers from Alpha Delta Phi, said The Miami Herald. 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Harrouff was found not guilty by reason of insanity for killing John Stevens III, 59 and Michelle Mishcon, 53, during a brutal attack Aug. 15, 2016 at their home on Southeast Kokomo Lane. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. 2 men found not guilty of murder in 2016 shooting death of Riviera girl. and is booked into the Martin County jail on two counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder and burglary. I'm not trying to excuse what happened. "Two experts, one for the defense and one for the State, determined Austin was experiencing a psychotic break at the time of the homicides and lacked the intent necessary to be criminally responsible for his conduct," said King. Copyright 2016 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Currently the site of Stevens Institute of Technology. Phil interview. When Martin County Sheriffs Office deputies arrived, they used a Taser on Harrouff, kicked him in the head and used a law-enforcement dog to remove him from Stevens body. A judge accepted a plea deal Monday for a man who randomly killed a Florida couple in their garage six years ago and then chewed on one victim's face that will send him to a mental hospital for treatment. Citing jailhouse phone calls, Michelles sister Cindy Mishconasserted that he did not care about committing the murders. 2023 www.tallahassee.com. CNN has reached out to the prosecutor for comment. I dedicate the future of my career to fulfilling my promises to you. On Monday night, Harrouff allegedly stormed out of a restaurant, complaining of slow service, and inexplicably turned down the street where the couple lived about a 15-minute walk from the restaurant Martin County Sheriff William Snyder previously told PEOPLE. Open main menu. crime. Bleeding from his injuries, he ran back to his home and called 911. Your dad asks you on the afternoon before you killed my sister, Did you throw the drugs out? Harrouff, who was home for the summer from Florida State University, is alleged to have stabbed and attacked the couple after walking out of a restaurant following an argument with his parents. The families of John Stevens IIIandMichelle Mishconvoiced disgust and anger on Monday, as a judge accepted the insanity plea from defendantAustin Harrouff, 25. Thats all you have to do.. 3:34PM. "But here we are, opening the prison doors for a double murderer. Austin Harrouff, 25, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to two counts of first-degree murder and other charges for the 2016 slayings of John Stevens, 59, and his wife, Michelle Mishcon . he said he ate something bad. Harrouff is conscious at St. Mary's Medical Center, but remains in the hospital for several more weeks as he recovers. Harrouff took off some of this clothes during the attack, The Palm Beach Post said. 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On Monday night about 9:20 p.m., John Stevens and his wife, Michelle Mishcon, died after an attack. "And then I think about how I'm going to have to explain this to her one day.". John Stevens was a retired owner of landscaping business Greensmart Lawn and Garden, which state record show was established in 2013 and was operated out of his home, said The Tallahassee Democrat. In the calls, his emotions range from apologetic to worried and sad for his actions to joking with his parents and complaining about how bored he is. A neighbor tried in vain to help the couple. Student accused of killing couple in Martin County claimed he had super powers, Student accused of killing couple in Martin County improving in Palm Beach County hospital. Michelle, you were loved and respected by so many, wrote a friend on Facebook. Things happened rapidly, with Austin experiencing such severe hallucinations and delusions at the time of the offense that he was incapable of making rational and voluntary choices. She called Harrouff a disgusting person. Two mental health experts, one hired by the defense and another by prosecutors, examined Harrouff and found he suffered an acute psychotic episode during the attack, and couldn't distinguish between right and wrong. Harrouff's parents and others said he had acted strangely for weeks. The prosecutor said, however, that the frustration voiced in court was misdirected. Austin Harrouff, 19, has been charged with killing Michelle Mishcon, 53, and her husband John Stevens, 59. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. It is in that garage and their driveway that Harrouff killed the couple. Phil is aired on TV, showing more in the interview than what was previously provided in public-records request, which led to more court hearings fighting over the release of all footage recorded by McGraw and his production company. Join the New Times community and help support In backhanded fashion, he expressed willingness to forgive Harrouff if the 25-year-old did to himself what he did to Michelle. He also spoke about the garage where they were attacked. Thats when Johns dad was going to meet his new granddaughter. A number of family members of the slain couple expressed anger at the decision and made victim impact statements directed at Harrouff, his family, the defense team and prosecutors. "(Harrouff) will pay for what he has done. He sentenced Harrouff to treatment in the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services because it was determined that the defendant was danger to himself and others. The victim that you and your family see in all of this is you and the Harrouff name, she said. Discovery Company. But he's not sad about what he did, he's sad that he's about to go to jail," John Stevens IV said of Harrouff. Not only did defense experts refute this theory, but the State sent evidence specimens to two different drug testing facilities on three different occasions only to have negative results tendered each time, according to King. He is a former high school athlete. The Miami Herald said multiple weapons of opportunity were used to beat, slash and attack the couple, including a switchblade the suspect was known to carry. ("Austin) must have some psychological break. 4:36 PM EST, Tue November 29, 2022. Dec. 5, 2017: Austin Harrouff's attorneys, Robert Watson and Nellie King, file a notice of intent to use the insanity defense during his first-degree murder trial. He began stabbing and assaulting both the husband and the wife.. told The Post he doesn't believe Austin Harrouff's crocodile tears in the Dr. South Florida Sports Headlines Newsletter. A 38-page report by forensic psychologist Dr. Phillip Resnick says Austin Harrouff believed he was "half-dog, half-man". Harrouff was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the killings of John Stevens, 59, and his wife Michelle Mishcon Stevens, 53, according to his attorney Nellie L. King. I want him to go through that process and to pay for what he did.. Provided by People Austin Harrouff, Michelle Mishcon, John Joseph Stevens III A 25-year-old Fla. man accused of murdering a random couple and attempting to eat one of the victims'. If you ever have the courage to do something, your bravest act will be to kill yourself. Family members giving victim impact statements after not guilty by reason of insanity plea was accepted today in FL v. #AustinHarrouff pic.twitter.com/DY25mVpunZ, Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) November 28, 2022. Cindy Mishcon, the sister of Michelle Mishcon and an attorney, laid out a methodical case of why she does not believe that Harrouff was insane when the killings occurred. The 19-year-olds internet searches gave more insight into what he was thinking in the days and hours before the homicides. He has claimed he was fleeing a demon when the attack happened. Other family members echoed her sentiments. Chris Harris. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. Aug. 15, 2018: Two years after her father and stepmother's deaths, Ivy Stevens spoke with The Post about learning to cope with the loss. According to his son, Michelle had worked for Stevens at Prudential Securities. Friends and family of the two people killed by a. TCPalm staff writers Laurie K. Blandford, Will Greenlee and Melissa E. Holsman contributed to this report. Everyone just wants to get this over with, so Austin can get a slap on his wrist and go home and go on with the rest of his life. God bless her loved ones and family in this horrible time., Here's a photo of John Joseph Stevens III & Michelle Karen Mishcon who were killed last night, via @MartinFLSheriff. Sadly, their lives would be cut short in a bizarre rampage where there were more . John Stevens, 59, and his wife Michelle. Not his parents. (Facebook/Michelle Stevens). They said he tried to test his powers and said things like, "I've become like almost immortal.". There, after acting strangely and drinking cooking oil, his mother drives him back to the Duffy's. The text messages with his friends outlined the life of a student who was smoking marijuana, taking other drugs and abusing alcohol during the year before killing the couple. A random, vicious attack killed Martin County couple John Stevens III and Michelle Mishcon. Deputies encountered Harrouff biting off the face of Stevens in the driveway of the couples home around 9:20 p.m., said CBS 12. Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said evidence shows Austin Harrouff, 19, a Florida. Michelle Mishcon Stevens and her husband John Stevens. I feel so terrible for them, that they will never get to experience the love that my father and Michelle couldve given them, the memories that couldve been made with them, and the lessons they couldve learned from them.. Did you throw the drugs out? You didnt answer yes, Mishcon said. Everybody is shocked, said Stevens. G-D help their neighbor who tried to intervene & was injured by the assailant.. That theory is later debunked by toxicology reports. You have not only destroyed the memory of them for me, but you have caused me to live in a constant state of fear. You are the reason I no longer have a father and a second mother. In the weeks, months and now years that have followed, the case garnered international attention, a couple of first-degree murder charges and a diagnosis of clinical lycanthropy delusions, also known as werewolf syndrome. You didn't answer 'yes,'" Mishcon said. CBS 12 said authorities are testing Harrouff for bath salts and Flakka but added that he has tested negative in the first few tests. The Miami Herald said Harrouff was a Florida State University sophomore studying pre-exercise science and said he was eating dinner at Duffys, a sports pub down the block, with his parents when he got mad from possibly about slow service and stormed out. Some experts have also raised steroid rage as a possibility. WPTV quoted a police official as saying, Once he got to the hospital, he was making animal-like sounds and was somewhat incoherent, adding that Harrouff lived with his mother nearby. Mishcon read numerous bizarre conversations Harrouff had via text message leading up to the killings, directing them at Harrouff in court, WPLG reported. ProsecutorBrandon Whitevoiced sympathy for the families. As the Jupiter teen was taken that night to St. Marys Medical Center in West Palm Beach, he said he ate something bad. Updated tells The Palm Beach Post his son remains in the hospital and his organs are failing. He was super excitedso thats made it that much more hard for us.. The interview took place over video chat while Harrouff was at St. Mary's and just days before his arrest. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. "The Harrouff family loves Austin as they know the Stevens and Mishcon families loved John Stevens III and Michelle Mishcon," the statement reads. Phil.'. Catch up on old episodes of Episode 149 - Stranger In The Night - The Case Of John Stevens & Michelle Mishcon. Wednesday, Johns son, John Stevens IV, spoke about his loving parents and his anger about their murders. Michelle Mishcon Stevens and John Joseph Stevens III are the married couple murdered in a horrific face-eating attack by a Florida college fraternity student, police say. That's because he's accused of entering private property to initiate the attack. That neighbor was able to get. Where was the advocate then?. John Joseph Stevens III, 59, was a retired owner of landscaping business Greensmart Lawn and . Although the result of the case fails to bring comfort to the families of the victims, this finding brings this matter to its right and lawful end, said King. In a prosecution that has stretched over six years, Harrouff, 25, is accused of killing John Stevens III, 59 and Michelle Mishcon, 53, during a brutal attack Aug. 15, 2016 at their home on . The suspect was biting and removing pieces of the victims face with his teeth, said WPTV. Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands, Shania Twain Discusses Whether Her Ex-Husband and Her Former Friend Are Still Together, Venezuela Businessman Faced Mounting Personal, Financial Issues Before Coconut Grove Murder-Suicide. The trial had been delayed by the pandemic, legal wrangling and Harrouff's recovery from critical injuries suffered while drinking a chemical during the attack. WPTV said his parents called police because they were so worried and his fraternity brothers went looking for him. He wrote in 2011, This is my son John IV, a marine who will be exiting the Marines in March after having served in Iraq. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. Miami-Dade records listed them both as residents of Aventura at the time.