Death penalty ruled out

Man jailed in fatal face-biting

The man accused of killing a couple and biting and chewing the face of one of the victims will not be put to death if he is convicted, prosecutors have decided.

Austin Harrouff, 20, of Jupiter, is facing first-degree murder and other charges in connection with the Aug. 15, 2016 attack that killed Michelle Mishcon, 53, and John Stevens, 59, inside the garage of their Martin County home and injured a neighbor who came to their rescue.

When deputies arrived at the couple’s home, they saw Harrouff in the garage on top of Stevens’ body gnawing at his face and making animal-like noises. Harrouff also is accused biting into Stevens’ abdomen during the attack. It took a police dog, several deputies and a stun gun to subdue Harrouff, who displayed “abnormal strength,” authorities said.

A neighbor who tried to help the couple, Jeff Fisher, was stabbed but survived.

Jeff Hendriks, the Martin County prosecutor on the case, said the state will not be pursuing the death penalty against Harrouff, TCPalm.com reported.

“After careful review of the case and applying the statute that controls the seeking of the death penalty,” Hendriks told the organization, “it was decided to not seek it.”

Family members of Stevens and Mishcon were told of the decision by prosecutors earlier this week, according to WPTVCh. 5.

Harrouff, who had been attending Florida State Uniof