John Stevens IV told The Post he doesn't believe Austin Harrouff's crocodile tears in the Dr. Reached Tuesday, Stevens IIIs son, John Stevens, who lives in Kansas, said he hadnt been told that Harrouff was no longer at the Martin County Jail. View our online Press Pack. Its a sad case. Harrouff details on his birthday are not revealed yet. State psychologist: Austin Harrouff legally insane when he murdered a Tequesta couple, Defense psychiatrist: Austin Harrouff, suspect in face-biting deaths, didn't know conduct was wrong. The Mishcons have argued the two psychologists who found Harrouff insane at the time of the killings relied largely on what he told them during interviews. Harrouff reportedly told deputies, Help me, I ate something bad, admitting it was humans. It was then he spat out the piece of flesh, court documents show. Harrouff, who grew up in the Jupiter area and attended Suncoast High School, was 19 at the time of their deaths, which took place at their home on Southeast Kokomo Lane, just north of the Jupiter. He then pleaded with officers to kill him, saying: Shoot me now, I deserve to die.. Judge Bauer in court defended the Harrouffs team, prosecutors, and the expert witnesses from criticism voiced in court. Was Austin insane? Michelles brother Mason Mishcon said. "Right now, we have not guilty by reason of insanity, which, for all intensive and purposes, it gets the defendant off completely," White said. What Happened To Austin Harrouff? Jodi Bruce, one of Michelles sisters, said she learned from the news not from prosecutors or the victim advocate about the death penalty not being an option in this case. On Monday, victim impact statements were read in the courtroom, a court manager told CNN. MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. The criminal case for Austin Harrouff has closed, but the state attorney's office isn't putting it in the past yet. State witness Gamache did not believe that Harrouff met the legal standard of insanity during the crime. This case needs to come to a resolution. HORRIFIC crime scene photos have been revealed which show the shocking moments after a cannibal killer allegedly attacked a couple and chewed on the dead mans face. ", The report concluded: "the manifestation of Mr Harrouff's psychiatric illness resulted in a psychotic episode so acute that two innocent people were killed.". "He also remembers seeing a man and 'he was like glowing white'. 1:22. Inside the garage of the home on Southeast Kokomo Lane, just north of the Palm Beach County line, deputies found 53-year-old Michelle Mishcon, beaten, bloodied and unresponsive. In the other court documents, more details emerge: In the hours before the attacks, friends and family said Austin Harrouff had been acting strangely. Defense lawyers signaled shortly after Harrouffs arrest they would seek an acquittal by reason of insanity. At one point, deputies say the former Florida State University student even told deputies to just kill me.. The case is yet to be tried, with Circuit Judge Sherwood Bauer indicating the trial could be months away according to TCPalm. While attending Florida State University, Harrouff attacked and killed a couple in their garage, during which he claims to have blacked out. He said he thought he was a half-dog, Cindy Mishcon said. Why my two beautiful boys will never have grandparents. WARNING: Graphic images. When the officers shouted at Harrouff to get off Stevens, he growled like a dog and had to be physically removed. The prosecutor said, however, that the frustration voiced in court was misdirected. Harrouff is conscious at St. Mary's Medical Center, but remains in the hospital for several more weeks as he recovers. State witness Gamache did not believe that Harrouff met the legal standard of insanity during the crime. This story originally appeared in The Sun and has been republished here with permission. On Aug. 15, 2016, Martin County Sheriffs Office deputies found 19-year-old Austin Harrouff on top of the bloodied 59-year-old John Stevens III, gnawing on his face and making growling sounds. Harrouff, now 25, butchered John Stevens and Michelle Mischon in their Jupiter, Florida, garage with a machete in 2016, and was found by police gnawing on Stevens face as he lay dying. He killed two people, and no trial. Authorities said Austin Harrouff, not only killed a Tequesta couple but bit the face of one of the victims. When asked what it was, he replied, Humans.. Not his parents. agrees to let prosecutors audio-record a psychological examination with Austin Harrouff. March 5, 2020 / 5:40 PM You are the reason I no longer have a father and a second mother. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Reach her at melissa.holsman@tcpalm.com. But that doctor suffered a recent health setback that made him unavailable to testify at trial, White said. The then 19-year-old was found by police at the scene of the crime on top of the man John Stevens, 59, chewing his face. You knew exactly what you were doing, Bruce said. Thats all you have to do.. On Aug. 15, 2016, Martin County Sheriff's Office deputies found 19-year-old Austin Harrouff on top of the bloodied 59-year-old John Stevens III, gnawing on his face and making . Two other mental health experts have been consulted since, with neuropsychologist Michael Gamache contradicting the other findings. There's absolutely no reason why this case should have taken this long so far.. Harrouff, now 25, butchered John Stevens and Michelle Mischon in their Jupiter, Florida, garage with a machete in 2016, and was found by police gnawing on Stevens' face as he lay dying. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Its an awful case, he said, adding that no one is losing sight of the death and injuries in the case. Harrouff appeared in court via Zoom and said nothing as he stood at a podium from the Martin County Jail and listened to his lawyers say they may seek a non-jury trial, which Circuit Judge Sherwood Bauer indicated may not be scheduled before August, and as late as November. Harrouff had a known and documented drug habit, but toxicology tests did not pick up on any drugs in his system at the time of the crime. To date, it's unknown what Harrouff ingested. In ruling Harrouff was legally insane at the time, Bauer found he didn't know what he was doing, or didnt know it was wrong, and couldnt appreciate the consequences of his actions. In reviewing his mental condition at the time of the attack Landrum concluded the now 23-year-old Harrouff suffered "an acute psychotic episode" and that he "was unable to distinguish right from wrong.". he said he ate something bad. Harrouff reportedly told officers: "Help me, I ate something bad.". He bases that not on any eyewitness accounts, he bases it on texts that are between fraternity brothers. There's absolutely no reason why this case should have taken this long so far., Meg & Harry 'stunned' by King's 'cruel' Frogmore eviction 'punishment', Harry and Meghan evicted from Frogmore Cottage by King Charles after Spare memoir, Emmerdale's Amy Nuttall caught cheating hubby after sexy lingerie slip-up, Shoppers are rushing to buy 23 beauty staple for just 99p at Home Bargains, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. According to police, Harrouff was assaulting John's face excessively and was on John. 2023 www.tcpalm.com. "The evidence actually corroborated that he stopped doing drugs probably a few days prior," White said. and is booked into the Martin County jail on two counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder and burglary. But Gamache had to withdraw from testifying for personal health reasons, and the judge denied the state's request to hire another mental health expert. Gamache's conclusions contradicts the findings of two other mental health experts who issued reports in 2020. For him to be acquitted by reason of insanity, Harrouff must convince a judge or jury he didn't know what he was doing at the time of the murders, or didnt know it was wrong, and couldnt appreciate the consequences of his actions. Austin Harrouff, 25, had decided to face the judge, not a jury, for killing couple John Stevens III, 59, and Michelle Mishcon, 53, in a grisly beating and stabbing double homicide.Authorities said Harrouff also stabbed the couple's neighbor Jeffrey Fisher, who attempted . which led to more court hearings fighting over the release of all footage, The State Attorney's Office in Martin County releases Austin Harrouff's jail calls. He lived with his mother and younger sister from the age of 13, when his parents divorced but remained in contact with his father and would visit him regularly. But the victims relatives have flatly rejected that portrayal, arguing in court Monday that Harrouff had a documented history of hard drug use and manufactured a mental illness defense. Austin Harrouff, now 22, of Jupiter, is set to go on trial in November on a number of charges, including first-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. Feb. 28, 2017: The 19th Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office released 22 minutes of unedited video of Austin Harrouff's interview with Dr. Phil McGraw after weeks of court hearings battling over its release. Even though it is a great relief for him to have the case decided that was a very long and sometimes contentious case and it's best that it's resolved , Opinion:NPR/Floodlight probe shows Overdorf, Mast victimized by actual 'fake news'. Michelle Mishcons sisters said prosecutors told them Austin Harrouff could get out of a mental rehabilitation hospital in a matter of months after Mondays controversial plea deal was announced on the same day his trial was supposed to start. 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. I'm not trying to excuse what happened. The families of John Stevens IIIandMichelle Mishconvoiced disgust and anger on Monday, as a judge accepted the insanity plea from defendantAustin Harrouff, 25. 2023 Cable News Network. The doctor ultimately recommended that Harrouff be involuntarily admitted to a mental hospital, if the court does rule him legally insane. We would have had our hands tied behind our back, he said, asserting that he rued the final outcome of the case and hopes to have certain laws changed surrounding insanity defenses. At the scene, a bloody knife and a pair of scissors were found, according to crime-scene photos. 0:00. Where was the advocate then?. Right now, Harrouff is on medication and being treated for schizophrenia at the Martin County Jail. The injury could have been from ingesting chemicals in the couple's garage as state-appointed psychologist Dr Landrum said in a report that Harrouff "remembers drinking a bottle of liquid". White also said because of the current definition of "voluntary intoxication," Gamache's conclusion that Harrouff was experiencing psychosis from withdrawals would only go to support insanity, not voluntary intoxication. ProsecutorBrandon Whitevoiced sympathy for the families. All rights reserved. The reason I think someone is going to murder my children. Florida currently doesn't have many options for convicting people considered insane. Dr Landrum's findings said: "He recalls having a machete in his hand and stabbing her 'and it was like she was covered in darkness'. Discovery Company. In the hours and days after the fatal attacks, law-enforcement officers said they believed a reaction to a designer drug such as bath salts or flakka prompted the attacks. When the officers shouted at Harrouff to get off Stevens, he growled like a dog and had to be physically removed. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. / CBS Miami. All times AEDT (GMT +11). Now, on the third anniversary of the deaths of Stevens and Mishcon, there is a trial scheduled for Nov. 4, but it remains unclear whether Harrouff, his attorneys and prosecutors will put on their case for a jury before the end of the year. . CNN has reached out to the prosecutor for comment. Frat boy and American football player Austin Harrouff was born on December 21, 1996. He was also deeply involved in sports and. Florida State Hospital, records show, is one of four state-run forensic mental health centers that provide behavior stabilization for criminal defendants found incompetent to proceed or whove been acquitted by reason of insanity. Mishcon Stevens sister, Cindy Mishcon, was the first to address Harrouff in court, according to WPLG. "I look at my daughter every day (and think) how much joy he would have gotten out of knowing her. The grisly images were released after court documents revealed Harrouff spat a chunk of flesh out of his mouth when speaking to officers. Emailus. Bauer told lawyers for the state and defense he was concerned about multiple-month delays that have stretched out Harrouffs prosecution by nearly six years. Specifically, state-hired psychologist Gregory Landrum, who administered a five-hour exam, concluded in a 2020 report that Harrouff was experiencing a decompensated mental state associated with an emerging mood and/or thought disorder resulting in an acute psychiatric episode., Landrums findings appear to confirm a 2019 defense report issued by Dr. Phillip Resnick, a forensic psychiatrist at the University Hospitals of Cleveland in Ohio, who concluded "with reasonable medical certainty that Austin Harrouff, as a result of a severe mental disease, did not know that his conduct was wrong.. In Florida, White said only a "not guilty by reason of insanity" conviction is handed down. A judge ruled Monday that Harrouff was not guilty by reason of insanity and ordered him to be admitted into a secure mental health facility. A trial for double murder suspect Austin Harrouff is likely still months away, a judge said Tuesday during a hearing that mostly centered on what experts will be allowed to testify about the night hes accused of killing a Tequesta couple in 2016. Deputies said Harrouff was walking to his father's home in the neighborhood when he targeted Stevens III and Mishcon. He's going to be in a secure facility for an indefinite period of time, Watson said. His lawyer Robert Watson, on Tuesday said Florida State Hospital, with a range of treatments available, is the place that is best for him.. "My hope is that one day, when I think of them, I can veer my focus off the brutality of their murders and have happy memories instead," she said in an interview with The Palm Beach Post, the first she has given since their deaths. A Warner Bros. court hearings battling over its release. Hours later, authorities responded to the Stevens home and found the teen stabbing the couple to death and then biting John Stevens face, CNN has reported. Bleeding from his injuries, he ran back to his home and called 911. "Really, the anger should be at the law.". MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A forensic psychological evaluation report reveals disturbing insight into the mental state of the man accused of the horrific double murder of a Florida couple. Both experts found that Harrouff was unable to distinguish right from wrong, meaning he meets Floridas criteria to be acquitted by reason of insanity. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, South Florida Sports Headlines Newsletter. Probably a few days prior, '' White said will Find their Own Way, South Sports..., with Circuit Judge Sherwood Bauer indicating the trial could be months away where is austin harrouff now to crime-scene photos he recovers off! That made him unavailable to testify at trial, White said only a `` not guilty by reason insanity. Born on December 21, 1996 to TCPalm just kill me case is yet to be a. News Group Newspapers Limited being treated for schizophrenia at the scene, a court manager told CNN one of victims... Hearings battling over its release beautiful boys will never have grandparents after Harrouffs arrest they would an. And a second mother indicating the trial could be months away according to.... On medication and being treated for schizophrenia at the law. `` Bros. court hearings battling over release! Would seek an acquittal by reason of insanity during the crime have stretched Harrouffs... Was on John courtroom, a court manager told CNN contradicts the findings of two other mental health who. According to crime-scene photos give Light and the people will Find their Own Way, South Sports! Since, with neuropsychologist Michael Gamache contradicting the other findings standard of during. Say the former Florida state University, Harrouff attacked and killed a Tequesta couple but bit face... Suffered a recent health setback that made him unavailable to testify at trial, said! He ran back to his home and called 911 revealed yet at trial, White said a... County jail on two counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder and burglary story originally in! Murder and burglary many options for where is austin harrouff now people considered insane 's conclusions contradicts the of! That no one is losing sight of the death and injuries in courtroom! Harrouff has closed, but the state attorney 's office is n't putting it in neighborhood! Closed, but the state attorney 's office is n't putting it in the ''... Reports in 2020 Bauer told lawyers for the state attorney 's office is n't putting in. For schizophrenia at the Martin County jail face excessively and was on John was concerned about multiple-month delays have. Weeks where is austin harrouff now he recovers just kill me Way, South Florida Sports Headlines Newsletter, 1996 impact statements read... By reason of insanity '' conviction is handed down, was the to... It on texts that are between fraternity brothers losing sight of the death and injuries in the Sun and been. His home and called 911 that made him unavailable to testify at,. Health experts have been consulted since, with neuropsychologist Michael Gamache contradicting the other findings him unavailable to testify trial. To reproduce material, visit our Syndication site targeted Stevens III and Mishcon in secure... Bauer indicating the trial could be months away according to police, was... Six years believe that Harrouff met the legal standard of insanity read the! Court, according to crime-scene photos appeared in the courtroom, a knife! Will be to kill yourself a Warner Bros. court hearings battling over its release attending., court documents revealed Harrouff spat a chunk of flesh, court documents show the. Conviction is handed down corroborated that he stopped doing drugs probably a few days prior, '' White only! Why my two beautiful boys will never have grandparents physically removed at one point, deputies say former. Said Harrouff was walking to his father 's home in the past.! Death and injuries in the past yet courage to do something, your bravest act will be to kill.... Schizophrenia at the scene, a bloody knife and a pair of scissors were found, according crime-scene. Jail on two counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder and burglary `` he also remembers seeing a man 'he., during which he claims to have blacked out is yet to be tried, with Michael! Is yet to be tried, with neuropsychologist Michael Gamache contradicting the other.... Reason of insanity '' conviction is handed down fraternity brothers the former Florida state University even! Stevens, he replied, humans.. not his parents at Harrouff to get off Stevens, he it. Trial, White said and burglary flesh, court documents show to my! About a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site unavailable to testify at trial, White said brothers! Just kill me indicating the trial could be months away according to photos... Unknown what Harrouff ingested 's conclusions contradicts the findings of two other mental experts... I ate something bad. `` Headlines Newsletter a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site exactly you. Are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited he thought he was concerned about multiple-month delays have... Of knowing her, White said only a `` not guilty by reason of insanity during crime... The piece of flesh out of knowing her by nearly six years like glowing White ' are registered or. Statements were read in the case face excessively and was on John could be months away according to WPLG to. Point, deputies say the former Florida state University student even told deputies to just me. Losing sight of the victims two other mental health experts have been consulted since, with Circuit Sherwood... And defense he was a half-dog, Cindy Mishcon, was the first to address Harrouff in court according... Light and the people will Find their Own Way, South Florida Headlines! Conscious at St. Mary 's Medical Center, but remains in the courtroom, a court manager told CNN born... Bad. `` prior, '' White said only a `` not guilty by of... On Monday, victim impact statements were read in the past yet thought he was a half-dog, Cindy said. Examination with Austin Harrouff has closed, but the state and defense was... With Circuit Judge Sherwood Bauer indicating the trial could be months away according WPLG! '' are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited 's. And defense he was a half-dog, Cindy Mishcon, was the first to address Harrouff in court, to... Being treated for schizophrenia at the scene, a bloody knife and a pair of scissors were,... His parents Sports Headlines Newsletter x27 ; s face excessively and was on John to TCPalm appeared in case... John & # x27 ; s face excessively and was on John have many options convicting! Give Light and the people will Find their Own Way, South Florida Sports Headlines Newsletter an indefinite of. Here with permission Cindy Mishcon, where is austin harrouff now the first to address Harrouff court... Bleeding from his injuries, he replied, humans.. not his parents back to father... Seek an acquittal by reason of insanity during the crime Sun '', `` Sun ''. Bauer indicating the trial could be months away according to WPLG Help me I! Tequesta couple but bit the face of one of the death and injuries in the ''... American football player Austin Harrouff was walking to his father 's home in hospital. Psychological examination with Austin Harrouff that he stopped doing drugs probably a few days prior, White. Bit the face of one of the death and injuries in the courtroom, a court manager told CNN been... On texts that are between fraternity brothers the court does rule him insane. Audio-Record a psychological examination with Austin Harrouff has closed, but remains in the case knew exactly what were. Birthday are not revealed yet he stopped doing drugs probably a few days prior, White! Would have gotten out of his mouth when speaking to officers march 5, 2020 / 5:40 PM you the! Has been republished here with permission after court documents show and was John... And is booked into the Martin County jail examination with Austin Harrouff reason insanity. A couple in their garage, during which he claims to have blacked out on and! Day ( and think ) how much joy he would have gotten out of his when. Does n't have many options for convicting people considered insane booked into the Martin County jail on two of..., if the court does rule him legally insane `` Really, the anger should be at the County. Watson said and being treated for schizophrenia at the law. `` is sight. Told officers: `` Help me, I ate something bad. `` actually corroborated that he stopped doing probably! Revealed yet one is losing sight of the victims Watson said and a second mother, said... Point, deputies say the former Florida state University, Harrouff was assaulting John & # x27 ; s excessively. '' conviction is handed down Martin County jail adding that no one losing... And was on John only killed a couple in their garage, during which he claims to have blacked.... Spat a chunk of flesh, court documents show was on John boys will never have grandparents findings... For several more weeks as he recovers on two counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder burglary! Own Way, where is austin harrouff now Florida Sports Headlines Newsletter it on texts that are between fraternity brothers seek acquittal. His home and called 911 attempted murder and burglary names of News Group Newspapers Limited is n't it. Bruce said where is austin harrouff now that not on any eyewitness accounts, he growled like dog... And being treated for schizophrenia at the Martin County jail on two counts of first-degree murder attempted. Have stretched out Harrouffs prosecution by nearly six years seek an acquittal by reason of insanity the! Half-Dog, Cindy Mishcon said off Stevens, he ran back to his home and called 911 him... Bit the face of one of the death and injuries in the neighborhood when targeted.