Legislation to End Cashless Bail Following Tragic Incident
In the wake of the tragic killing of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, on a light rail train in Charlotte last month, North Carolina lawmakers have taken measures to put an end to cashless bail for violent offenses. This decision comes as part of a broader effort to enhance public safety and prevent further violent incidents.
The newly introduced “Iryna’s Law” was approved by the state House with an 82-30 vote and is now awaiting the signature of Governor Josh Stein.
Decarlos Dejaun Brown Jr., who confessed to the stabbing, encountered Zarutska on the train. The horrifying act, recorded on video, featured him uttering, “I got that White girl” after the attack.
Surveillance footage from the Charlotte Area Transit System captured Zarutska boarding the train and sitting near Brown. Just minutes later, he produced a pocketknife and attacked her from behind, delivering three stab wounds, one of which was to her neck. Although she remained conscious for nearly a minute, she collapsed shortly after. Brown exited the train two minutes later and was promptly arrested.
Critics have pointed out that Brown Jr. had a history of at least 14 prior arrests, with a recent one in January, underscoring concerns about the state’s cashless bail system as a contributing factor to Zarutska’s death.
The proposed law aims to abolish cashless bail for individuals charged with violent crimes. It also introduces stricter penalties for offenses committed against passengers using public transportation.
“Iryna should still be alive. She should be thriving and enjoying time with her family and friends,” said North Carolina GOP Senate President Phil Berger. He emphasized the urgent need to reject “woke, weak-on-crime policies” that he claims favor criminals over justice for victims. Additionally, he mentioned plans to revive the death penalty for the most severe offenses.
Berger criticized long-standing judicial hurdles that have hampered true justice for victims, noting that some Senate Democrats exited the session in protest and did not participate in the vote.
The walkout by the Democrats did reduce opposition but did not prevent the bill from advancing, as enough majority party members remained to achieve a quorum.
GOP State House Speaker Destin Hall declared that lawmakers would not accept policies that allow violent offenders to roam free and threaten public safety.
The legislation also proposes alternative execution methods like firing squads or electrocution if lethal injection is not feasible. Furthermore, it aims to ensure that certain death row appeals are reviewed by courts by the end of 2027, addressing the nearly two-decade halt in executions in the state.
Nevertheless, Senate Democrat Mujtaba Mohammed criticized the bill for capitalizing on tragedy to garner attention and votes. He argued that focusing on reinstating the death penalty diverts attention from more effective solutions, such as tackling mental health issues and improving public safety. In a show of dissent, he and six other Senate Democrats walked out of the session.
