Controversy Over Criminal Release in North Carolina

Michael Whatley, a Republican Senate candidate, criticized North Carolina’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate Roy Cooper for releasing thousands of criminals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whatley made his remarks on Breitbart News Daily.

“Roy Cooper has blood on his hands,” Whatley said, referring to Cooper’s decision to release approximately 4,200 inmates. He emphasized that these were serious offenders, including rapists, pedophiles, and murderers, released from prisons to prevent COVID-19 spread.

Whatley pointed to one significant case in which a released criminal, Decarlos Brown Jr., became nationally known after killing Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska. He recounted how Zarutska, who had just finished work at a pizzeria one Friday night, was brutally murdered on a light rail car in Charlotte.

“That monster shouldn’t have been on the streets. That young lady should still be alive today. Her blood is on Roy Cooper’s hands,” he said fiercely.

Whatley expressed concern that Cooper has never explained his actions or offered apologies, highlighting that he’s the only governor in the nation who took such measures. “He’s never apologized to the families of victims, including Iryna’s family,” he added, noting at least two dozen families have been affected by the released criminals.

Furthermore, Whatley mentioned additional crimes stemming from Cooper’s decisions, revealing that about 99 of the released individuals have been re-arrested for serious offenses like child pornography and sexual assault. He concluded, “The list goes on and on. Around 2,200 of those released have been re-arrested since they were let back on the streets. It’s absolutely unexplainable.”