Man accused of killing Ukrainian refugee on light rail to remain in jail

CHARLOTTE — The family of Iryna Zarutska saw her accused killer in a Mecklenburg County courtroom on Friday morning.

EXCLUSIVE Q&A: CATS leaders say ‘processes worked’ after deadly stabbing on light rail

It was the first time the suspect, DeCarlos Brown, in the deadly attack on the light rail appeared in court.

The hearing was short but an important one for Zarutska’s family.

Judge Roy Wiggins gave no bond to the accused killer, DeCarlos Brown.

The suspect is accused of randomly stabbing 23-year-old Zarutska to death on Aug. 22 onboard a Charlotte light rail train in South End. The attack happened in six seconds and there was no warning. Zarutska had no chance at surviving.

Zarutska’s uncle spoke Friday in court saying she was “a sweet angel. The accused has taken a beautiful person from us.”

He said, “I ask the court not to release (Brown) as he could be a menace to the community.”

Wiggins called the alleged actions heinous and gave his condolences to Zarutska’s family.

He issued no bond.

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Brown’s mother said he suffers from schizophrenia and they tried to get him help.

She thinks her son fell through the cracks of a broken system.

He has been charged with first-degree murder.

‘Extraordinarily difficult’

Brown’s attorney is seeking a competence evaluation due to Brown’s mental health history, and an insanity defense is being considered.

This approach could significantly impact the outcome of the trial, as the legal standard for insanity in North Carolina requires that a person must be unable to distinguish between right and wrong.

Jim Cooney, a prominent defense attorney known for handling high-profile murder cases involving mental health issues, commented on the challenges of an insanity defense.

“It’s extraordinarily difficult,” Cooney said, noting that only a handful of cases in the last 40 years have succeeded in North Carolina.

Cooney, who has represented clients in notable cases such as those of David Crespi and Henry Wallace, explained the complexities involved in pleading insanity.

He noted that while Henry Wallace was mentally ill, they did not plead insanity because he was not considered legally insane.

In Brown’s case, his presence at the light rail platform when police arrived could be a factor in determining his mental state. Cooney mentioned that what Brown said after the incident might also be crucial evidence.

Cooney also highlighted the potential outcomes of an insanity plea, explaining that a not guilty by reason of insanity verdict does not guarantee freedom. Instead, it could result in decades of incarceration, though there is a possibility of release if a judge deems the individual well enough.

Given the high stakes, Cooney suggested that both sides might consider a plea deal for Brown to plead guilty to first-degree murder, with the death penalty removed as an option. This would ensure that Brown remains in prison for life.

The outcome of Decarlos Brown’s case will depend heavily on the court’s evaluation of his mental health and the legal strategies employed by his defense team.

CATS leadership discuss safety

CATS leadership defended its policies and procedures in the wake of Zarutska’s killing.

“Iryna Zarutska was murdered,” said Brent Cagle, interim CATS CEO. “And I want to start off by expressing my condolences to her friends and her family.”

Cagle said there was no security guard on the train at the time she was killed.

Eric Osnes, CATS chief safety and security officer, said he’s seen the surveillance video and called the crime a horrific random act that couldn’t have been prevented.

“There was nothing about his demeanor,” Osnes said. “He wasn’t sweating. He wasn’t talking to himself. He wasn’t interfacing in a manner that would have triggered attention to him that he was to do a heinous act.”

CATS officials said they know their system is not perfect and even before this deadly attack, they said plans were already underway to enhance safety.

One of those plans is better fare enforcement on the light rail, ensuring riders actually buy a ticket to get on.

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