Judges Under Scrutiny Over Decarlos Brown Jr As Criminal History Revealed

Judges who previously released a man charged in the fatal stabbing of a woman on the light rail in Charlotte, North Carolina, have come under scrutiny after details of his violent criminal history were revealed.

Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, is accused of fatally stabbing 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, on August 22. He has been charged with first-degree murder.

Officials released surveillance footage of the attack on Friday, which prompted an outcry. Congressman Randy Fine has said he plans to introduce legislation “to hold judges accountable” if they release violent offenders who go on to later reoffend. Newsweek has contacted Fine’s office for further comment via an email sent outside regular business hours.

Why It Matters

Brown’s past convictions and arrests have raised questions about the effectiveness of the justice system in North Carolina’s Mecklenberg County.

His mother has said he was diagnosed with schizophrenia following his release from prison for an armed robbery conviction. She said the courts failed by allowing her son to be out in the community despite knowing about his previous criminal history and mental health issues.

What To Know

Brown has past convictions for armed robbery, felony larceny, breaking and entering, and shoplifting, WBTV reported.

According to WSOC-TV reporter Joe Bruno, Brown’s mother said that she had her son evaluated when his behavior became aggressive. This followed his release from prison after he had served more than five years for armed robbery.

She got an involuntary commitment order and he was placed under psychiatric monitoring for two weeks and diagnosed with schizophrenia, Bruno wrote on X. She said that he became so aggressive after his release that she had to kick him out of her home, so he became homeless.

Online jail records show he was released without bond in January after being charged with misuse of the 911 system.

Police had conducted a welfare check on Brown, and he told officers that he believed someone was giving him “man-made” material, controlling when he ate, walked and talked, according to the Charlotte Observer. According to an affidavit, he became upset when officers told him there was nothing they could do, called 911 while the officers were still there and was arrested after hanging up.

Brown’s public defender had filed a motion questioning Brown’s “capacity to proceed” in the case. A judge then ordered a forensic evaluation, which was never done, Queen City News reported.

Others have taken to social media in recent days to call out the judges who had allowed Brown to remain free despite his record.

Fine said the judges who released Brown “should have their day in court too,” while billionaire X owner Elon Musk said people should “name and shame” the district attorneys and judges involved.

What People Are Saying

Randy Fine, a Republican, wrote on X: “I’m going to introduce legislation to hold judges accountable when violent repeat offenders they release commit new crimes. It’s easy to release criminals when you’re protected by an armed bailiff at all times. The rest of us aren’t so lucky. Those 12+ judges that released Decarlos Brown Jr. should have their day in court too.”

Elon Musk wrote on X: “Let’s change the law. Between now and then, name and shame the DAs and judges who enable murder, rape and robbery. But especially shame those who funded the campaigns of the DAs and judges. That will make the biggest difference.”

The far-right Libs of TikTok account wrote on X: “How many arrests does it take for a liberal judge to finally say that this lunatic belongs behind bars and is too dangerous to walk the streets again???”

Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer Merriweather told Axios about the limitations of holding defendants with mental health issues accountable, saying some languish in mental health facilities for years while the court waits for them to reach the capacity to face trial. He said that in some cases, judges eventually dismiss cases and release people who have committed violent crimes.

Merriweather said it is “significant that our community is focusing its attention not only on public safety, but also how mental health impacts public safety. But we’re at the very beginning of a conversation, not an end of one.”

President Donald Trump told reporters on Sunday that he hadn’t heard about the attack, but said it was “horrible” and that he would “know all about it by tomorrow morning.”

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles wrote on X: “This was a senseless and tragic loss. My prayers remain with her loved ones as they continue to grieve through an unimaginable time.”

She added: “Like so many of you, I’m heartbroken—and I’ve been thinking hard about what safety really looks like in our city. I remain committed to doing all we can to protect our residents and ensure Charlotte is a place where everyone feels safe.”