Iryna Zarutska Stabber Gets Gifted A Lifeline In State Court

DeCarlos Brown Jr., the man accused of fatally stabbing Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in North Carolina, has been deemed mentally incapable of proceeding to trial in the state murder case.

Brown was evaluated at Central Regional Hospital, and a December 29, 2025, report found him “incapable to proceed,” according to court documents.

On August 22, 2025, Zarutska, 23, was riding the LYNX Blue Line in Charlotte, looking at her phone, when Brown allegedly jumped from his seat, wielding a knife and slashing her multiple times in the neck.

The case sparked international outrage over the blue city’s public safety policies and Brown’s lengthy rap sheet, which includes 14 previous arrests for offenses such as armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, The Daily Wire previously reported. He served five years for the armed robbery but avoided jail time in several other cases.

Two months after the killing, Democratic Gov. Josh Stein signed “Iryna’s Law,” legislation passed by the Republican-led legislature overhauling aspects of the state’s criminal justice system. The law eliminated certain forms of cash-free bail and imposed stricter pretrial release requirements for violent offenses.

Brown’s public defender, attorney Daniel Roberts, asked the court to delay his Rule 24 hearing to determine whether state prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty.

Brown also faces a federal charge alleging he committed an act of violence resulting in death on a mass transportation system.

In September 2025, President Trump called for Brown to face the death penalty.

“The ANIMAL who so violently killed the beautiful young lady from Ukraine, who came to America searching for peace and safety, should be given a “Quick” (there is no doubt!) Trial, and only awarded THE DEATH PENALTY. There can be no other option!!! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP,” Trump said. 

Late last year, murals honoring Iryna started popping up nationwide. Elon Musk pledged to donate $1 million to the project.

 

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