Florida teen pleads not guilty to double murder in face-biting attack

STUART, Fla. (AP) — A Florida college student accused of killing a couple and chewing on the dead man's face has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder and burglary.


The Palm Beach Post (https://goo.gl/eEac0I) reports that 19-year-old Austin Harrouff's attorney filed the written plea Tuesday. Defense attorney Robert Watson waived the teen's Wednesday arraignment appearance and asked for a jury trial.

Authorities say Harrouff fatally stabbed 59-year-old John Stevens, and his wife, 53-year-old Michelle Mishcon, outside their Tequesta home in August. Deputies say they found the former high school football player and wrestler in his underwear, making animal noises and biting Stevens' face as he pinned the victim's body to the driveway.

Documents show Harrouff told deputies, "Help me, I ate something bad" and then admitted it was "humans." The Palm Beach Post reports that  court records obtained Monday show Harrouff begged deputies to kill him after they pulled him off John Stevens' body.



Authorities say Harrouff also stabbed a neighbor, 47-year-old Jeff Fisher, who tried to help the couple.