Fla. teen accused in face-biting deaths regains consciousness
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. _ A 19-year-old Florida State University student accused of murdering a Martin County couple and biting the man's face is now awake at the hospital, according to the Martin County Sheriff's Office.
Austin Harrouff has been heavily sedated and unable to answer questions since he was hospitalized at St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach following a brutal attack at a home near Tequesta.
Although he has regained consciousness, Harrouff has been unable to give a statement to law enforcement, according to the Sheriff's Office.
When he is released from the hospital, Harrouff will be charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of John Stevens, 59, and his wife, Michelle Mishcon Stevens, 53, officials said. A neighbor, Jeff Fisher, 47, was stabbed several times. He has been released from the hospital.
What sparked the attack remains a mystery. Harrouff abruptly left Duffy's Sports Grill during a family dinner, walked about three miles and then killed the random couple, Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said.
Investigators are awaiting the results of a drug test that would show whether Harrouff had taken flakka or bath salts. He tested negative for common street drugs, such as methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin, according to the sheriff's office.
_Sun Sentinel
