A claim that Decarlos Brown Jr., the man charged with the murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, is “incapable to proceed” with his trial has sparked a backlash on social media.
Brown, 34, was charged with murder and with causing death on a mass transportation system after Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian woman, was fatally stabbed in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 22, 2025, on the Lynx Blue Line near the Camden Road area in the South End neighborhood shortly before 10 p.m.
According to a motion filed on April 7, and seen by Newsweek, Brown was evaluated on December 29 at Central Regional Hospital, and a report determined he was not competent to stand trial. Based on the findings, his attorney asked the court to delay his competency hearing, which determines whether he is fit to proceed to trial, by 180 days. A judge must now decide whether to accept the findings of the report.
Some on social media have criticized the motion, with one commentator writing, “There will be no justice for Iryna Zarutska.”
Why It Matters
Last year, the case received national attention as videos of the stabbing circulated on social media and concern rose around safety on public transportation. Brown, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was known to the police, had 14 previous arrests and convictions spanning over a decade and had been released after an arrest in January 2025.
News of Brown’s criminal history sparked further public outrage and brought scrutiny to Charlotte’s judicial system. The case has also raised questions about state and federal mental health systems.
What To Know
X user @MAGAVoice told their 1.4 million followers: “DeCarlos Brown was capable of standing trial in all the other 10+ times but all of a sudden can’t now. Absolutely enraging.”
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, wrote on X in response to news that Brown had been found not competent to stand trial, “Impeach the corrupt judges.”
Trump himself weighed in on the case in September, calling for a quick trial and the death penalty.
X user @VladTheInflator told their 230,000 followers, “There will be no justice for Iryna Zarutska,” and described Brown as a “scumbag.”
Conservative commentator Eric Daughtery wrote on the platform: “This needs to be overturned immediately. DeCarlos Brown Jr. must face CAPITAL PUNISHMENT!”
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social in September:Â “I have seen the horrific video of a beautiful, young Ukrainian refugee, who came to America to escape the vicious War in Ukraine, and was innocently riding the Metro in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she was brutally ambushed by a mentally deranged lunatic. The perpetrator was a well known career criminal, who had been previously arrested and released on CASHLESS BAIL in January, a total of 14 TIMES. What the hell was he doing riding the train, and walking the streets? Criminals like this need to be LOCKED UP.”
A spokesperson for Iryna Zarutska’s family said in a statement in September:Â “We are heartbroken beyond words. Iryna came here to find peace and safety, and instead her life was stolen from her in the most horrific way. … This could have been anyone riding the light rail that night. We are committed to making sure this never happens again.”
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