GOP approves bill named for Charlotte train murder victim Iryna Zarutska that takes aim at cashless bail
Iryna Zarutska was remembered by family as a generous soul who loved animals and her family. Instagram/ Iryna Zarutska
North Carolina Senate Republicans have passed a new bill, dubbed Iryna’s Law, in response to the killing of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee who was fatally stabbed last month while riding a Charlotte light rail train. The legislation aims to reform the state’s criminal justice system, including eliminating cashless bail for violent offenders.
Zarutska was attacked on August 22 while returning home from work on Charlotte’s Blue Lynx Line. Police later arrested 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr., a homeless man with a history of mental illness and a long criminal record, at a nearby station. He has been charged with her murder.
Brown, who reportedly suffers from schizophrenia, had been arrested at least 14 times prior to the incident. He was released earlier this year after a January arrest, under a “written promise” to appear in court. His release and subsequent involvement in the deadly assault have sparked national debate over bail reform policies and public transit safety.
In addition to eliminating cashless bail for violent crimes, House Bill 307 proposes several key reforms. These include the introduction of an “aggravated sentencing factor” for crimes committed against public transportation passengers, and a controversial amendment aimed at reinstating the death penalty in North Carolina—a state where capital punishment has effectively been paused since 2006.
Senate Leader Phil Berger (R) said the legislation is necessary to restore justice for victims and criticized Senate Democrats for opposing the death penalty provision. According to Berger, Democratic lawmakers walked out of the session and refused to vote on the bill after opposing the amendment.
Mecklenburg County Sen. Mujtaba Mohammed (D) criticized the bill during a judiciary committee hearing, accusing Republicans of using public grief for political gain. “This bill exploits tragedy for headlines, clicks, and votes,” he said.
The bill passed in the Senate on Monday night, and the Republican-controlled House is expected to begin debate on it Tuesday.
On the federal level, Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) recently introduced legislation to establish a task force focused on addressing violence on public transit. “No one should ever fear for their life while commuting,” Scott said in a statement.
Following Zarutska’s death, President Donald Trump also weighed in on the case, calling Brown an “ANIMAL” on his Truth Social platform and demanding the death penalty.
The U.S. Department of Justice has confirmed that Brown could face federal charges related to violence on mass transit, potentially making him eligible for capital punishment.
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