Soft on Crime Sheriff Brands Victim Justice As 'Political Agenda'

AP Photo/Nell Redmond

Following the tragic murder of an innocent young woman on a Charlotte, North Carolina, commuter train by a deranged lunatic who shouldn't have been wandering around loose, the state of North Carolina passed a law named after the innocent victim. Iryna's Law, among other things, dramatically reformed pre-trial release conditions for accused violent criminals, added requirements for mental health evaluations, added aggravating factors in sentencing, and expedited some death-penalty proceedings.

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Now, Sheriff Garry McFadden of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, is complaining that this will result in overcrowding in the jails

Just days after another stabbing on Charlotte's light rail, and only days after Iryna's Law went into effect, Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden warned that it would lead to dangerous overcrowding.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein signed Iryna’s Law in October, which was named after 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, who was stabbed to death on the Charlotte light rail in August. Decarlos Brown Jr., a repeat offender, has been charged in her murder. The legislation imposes stricter pretrial release rules for repeat and violent offenders.

That's a rational response to a horrible crime, and when one looks at the record of Decarlos Brown, Jr., it's likewise clear that Iryna's Law may well have prevented this attack, as Brown clearly shouldn't have been out walking around unsupervised. For the luvva Pete, even Brown's own mother said that he was dangerous and should have been confined.


See Also: New Info on Suspect in Latest Charlotte Light Rail Stabbing Makes the Whole Situation More Infuriating


But Sheriff McFadden is worried about overcrowding?

Speaking at a Monday news conference, the sheriff said the law adds numerous new requirements for his office and added that politicians used Zarutska's stabbing as a "political agenda."

"And we believe that the only reason that this caught national attention is because it was caught on video and it was displayed across the United States, and our local politicians at that time saw it was a political agenda, or they could highlight her as a refugee and not an immigrant," McFadden said. "This is why they created Iryna's Law."

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Fine. Build more jails. Set up tents behind razor wire if you have to. Do whatever has to be done; people like Decarlos Brown can't be allowed to roam free. 


Read More: New: Iryna Zarutska's Killer Indicted, Could Face Capital Punishment

Again? Illegal Alien Allegedly Stabs Rider in Attack on Charlotte, NC Light Rail Train


And, no, Sheriff McFadden, that's not why they created Iryna's Law. The North Carolina legislature, elected officials carrying out the wishes of the people of North Carolina, passed Iryna's Law in response to a horrible crime, in which an innocent young woman, who was just headed home after a shift in a pizza joint, was stabbed and bled out on a commuter train while her attacker walked away. It makes no difference if she was an immigrant, a refugee (she was from Ukraine), or a native-born American. The crime committed against her is what matters - and how it shouldn't have happened.

We've all seen the video of that event. There's no need to view it again. 

Now, the sheriff has one valid point: If the county can't afford to house all the goblins that Iryna's Law now require be confined, there's a place for the state to step in. But the expense of building more jails is less than having one more Iryna Zarutska attacked for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, in the crosshairs of a violent lunatic who shouldn't have been walking around loose.

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Editor’s Note: President Donald Trump, the Justice Department, and local law enforcement are returning our country to the American people by locking up violent criminals and restoring order. 

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