We all remember, all too clearly, how we recoiled in horror at the senseless killing of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte, North Carolina commuter train. This horrific attack was entirely unprovoked, and if you have never watched the full video of the attack, I recommend you do not. I watched it once, and that was one time too many. It's an event that will burn its way into your brain.
In the latest development in the case, Iryna's accused killer, Decarlos Brown Jr., a serial felon, has been determined to be "incapable to proceed" to trial on state murder charges.
The deranged homeless man accused of savagely butchering Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, on a Charlotte light rail train has been found “incapable to proceed” on state murder charges.
According to a motion filed April 7, Decarlos Brown Jr. was evaluated Dec. 29 at Central Regional Hospital, and the subsequent report determined he was not competent to stand trial, according to WBTV.
A judge must now determine whether to accept the report’s findings, and the case against him will likely be delayed until his capacity is determined to be “restored” by the court, the station reported.
Note that this does not mean he will not stand trial at the state level; just that proceedings are delayed until his capacity is restored. It's hard to know what "restored" will mean in this context. Brown is a serial criminal with multiple arrests on his rap sheet, including violent crimes, dating back almost 20 years. The real outrage is that he was free on cashless bail when the attack on Iryna Zarutska took place — and on a "written promise" to appear, no less, which was almost certainly not with the paper it was printed on.
Brown's own mother described her son as having psychological issues.
Brown, 35, whose mother told The Post is schizophrenic, was arrested at least 14 times in North Carolina for crimes ranging from assault and firearms possession to felony robbery dating back to 2007.
At the time of the senseless attack in late August, he was free on cashless bail after a magistrate released him with a “written promise” to show up for court after placing a bogus 911 call.
This is where things are right now.
Read More: New: Iryna Zarutska's Killer Indicted, Could Face Capital Punishment
Cracking Down: NC Gov Signs New Criminal Justice Measure, 'Iryna’s Law'
Qualifier: This is where things are right now on the state charges that Decarlos Brown Jr. faces. He still faces federal charges as well. That effort is still proceeding.
A spokesperson for US Attorney Russ Ferguson tells me the federal case against Decarlos Brown is separate from the state case, including any competency determination made as part of the state proceedings.
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) April 8, 2026
An October press release from the Justice Department details those charges:
On October 22, 2025, a federal grand jury returned a criminal indictment, charging Decarlos Dejuan Brown, Jr., 34, with committing an act of violence causing death on a railroad carrier and mass transportation system, for the fatal attack of Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte’s light rail system, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Brown was initially charged via a federal criminal complaint on September 9, 2025.
This remains a developing case. Stay tuned.
Editor’s Note: The American people overwhelmingly support President Trump’s law and order agenda.
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