Iryna’s Law: New crime package aims to crack down on pretrial release

CHARLOTTE — North Carolina House lawmakers approved a sweeping crime package, 82-30, on Monday called Iryna’s Law, which is named after the Ukrainian refugee who was stabbed to death on Aug. 22 on Charlotte’s light rail.

The most significant part of this law cracks down on pretrial release, which is a form that a suspect signs in exchange for getting out of jail for free if they promise to show up for court.

That’s how her accused killer, Decarlos Brown, was released in January.

>>CLICK HERE for complete coverage of the light rail stabbing

“The catch and release practices for violent offenders will end today,” said Rep. Tricia Cotham, R-Mecklenburg.

Cotham led the charge as the House took action following last month’s fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska.

Her bill eliminates written promises to appear is moving forward. It also requires judicial officials to review the defendant’s criminal history before setting conditions of release and allows the chief justice to remove magistrates.

“(Zarutska) got on our light rail in Charlotte after a long days of work, and she was tragically murdered by a deranged monster,” Cotham said.

Some Democrats questioned whether the bill would have prevented Zarutska’s death and said more attention should be focused on mental health treatments.

The suspect’s mom said she had tried to get him help for schizophrenia.

Several Democrats criticized Republicans for calling the suspect a monster, which received a forceful response.

“We pray to God, and we talk about kindness,” said Rep. Marcia Morey, D-Durham. “We talk about mercy. We talk about justice and then we have a bill come up and what do we do? We call out a monster. Our presidential calls this person an animal. Boy do our Christian values go down a tube within an instant.”

“We just heard some buzz words, kindness, mercy, gosh you’re not showing that,” said Rep. Brenden Jones, R-Columbus. “Well, he damn sure didn’t show it to her did he. Where was his kindness? Where was his kindness? Where was his mercy ending a life for no reason. Ridiculous comments.”

The bill provides 10 more assistant district attorneys for Mecklenburg County. Stein has not indicated whether he will support the bill but a spokesperson said he will do everything in his power to keep people safe.

When introduced, the bill appeared to be heading for significant bipartisan support. But Senate leader Phil Berger added a provision that will study new ways to conduct the death penalty since lethal injection has been on pause in the state. That led to less Democratic support.

The bill is heading to Gov. Josh Stein’s desk.

State Sen. Mujtaba Mohammad, D-Mecklenburg, said he met with Zarutska’s family, and they were looking for action.

“Her family’s message to me was clear,” Mohammed said. “They don’t want her life to only be remembered in tragedy. They want her legacy to be a call for action. They want leaders, local, state and national to put aside political differences and put people first.”

Vigil

On Monday night, hundreds of people showed up to remember and honor Zarutska at the East/West Boulevard light rail station where she was killed.

Camden Road shut down as people gathered to pray and pay tribute to her life.

Vigil organizers want Charlotte officials to rename that station after Zarutska.

More security

The Charlotte City Council approved changes on Monday night to keep riders safe once they step off the light rail platform.

Private security guards will now patrol the entire rail trail, along with areas nearby the light rail stations.

VIDEO: New agreement expands professional police services at transit centers

New agreement expands professional police services at transit centers