Federal Bureau of Investigation

No Hallucinogens in Teen Face-Biting Suspect's System: FBI

Austin Harrouff's attorney argues he is mentally ill, and that several medical drugs were found in his system

FBI tests showed that the Florida college student accused of randomly killing a couple and chewing on the dead man's face had no detectable hallucinogenic drugs in his system, the bureau says.

According to a report released Wednesday, 19-year-old Austin Harrouff did have alcohol and trace amounts of marijuana in his system after his arrest for allegedly killing 59-year-old John Stevens and his 53-year-old wife, Michelle Mishcon, outside their Tequesta-area home Aug. 15.

Harrouff allegedly told deputies minutes after the slayings that they would find no drugs in his system, but he had suffered a burned esophagus, possibly from ingesting chemicals found in the couple's garage.

Harrouff's attorney, Nellie King, said in a statement that her client is mentally ill.

"The report shows that Harrouff had several drugs in his system that were medically introduced to him at the hospital for treatment purposes, as well as minimal levels of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana," King said in a statement. "Results also show ethanol, or alcohol, was detected by staff at St. Mary’s Hospital and the FBI Lab, the source of which has not been identified."

Harrouff has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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