On Friday, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein enacted “Iryna’s Law,” a measure aimed at tightening regulations on bail for violent offenders and restricting cashless bail for specific violent crimes and most repeat offenders. This follows the tragic stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee on a Charlotte light-rail train in August.
Though a Democrat, Stein acknowledged his reservations about certain aspects of this Republican-backed legislation, which also seeks to resume executions in the state. However, he highlighted that it “alerts the judiciary to take a special look at individuals who may present unusual risks of violence before they are granted bail. That’s a positive step.”
Iryna Zarutska, just 23 years old, tragically died on August 22. The suspect, Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr., had a lengthy criminal history with over a dozen arrests, including a five-year prison sentence for armed robbery prior to the fatal incident on the train, and has been charged with first-degree murder.
He had been released most recently in January after a misdemeanor charge.
“Finally, we are taking steps to remove dangerous criminals from our streets, ensuring that no other family has to endure the tragedy suffered by Iryna Zarutska’s loved ones,” remarked Republican state Rep. Tricia Cotham from Charlotte, who played a role in advancing the legislation.
Republicans, including President Donald Trump, have criticized Democrats by linking Zarutska’s death to their policies, claiming a lenient stance on crime.
“The blood of this innocent woman can literally be seen dripping from the killer’s knife, and now her blood is on the hands of the Democrats who refuse to put bad people in jail, including Former Disgraced Governor and ‘Wannabe Senator’ Roy Cooper,” Trump stated on Truth Social following the incident.
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The horrific stabbing incident incited widespread outrage, particularly after security footage of the attack was made public.
“We can and must implement more effective measures to ensure safety,” Stein stated in a social media video message on Friday. “When I evaluate public safety laws presented to me, I ask one simple question: Does it enhance public safety?”
Stein expressed that “Iryna’s Law” encourages the judicial system to scrutinize potential “unusual” risks for violent behavior before making bail determinations.
“That’s a positive outcome and the reason it has been signed into law,” he concluded.
However, he registered concerns regarding the law, noting that it emphasizes a defendant’s capacity to pay bail rather than the genuine threat they may pose. He also criticized an amendment introduced last minute, aimed at reinstating execution by firing squad in North Carolina, calling it “barbaric.”
The last execution in the state occurred in 2006.
He assured the public that he would resist firing squads during his tenure. The proposed legislation does not explicitly mention firing squad executions.
Governor Stein also expressed disappointment with the law’s limited scope, stating it falls short of the comprehensive solutions necessary for public safety. He advocates for legislation that would fund more law enforcement officers, promote violence prevention initiatives aimed at steering youth away from gangs, and ensure that violent or disturbed individuals are prohibited from accessing firearms through background checks.
“Iryna’s Law” tightens restrictions on cashless bail for certain violent offenses and most repeat offenders, has implications for the discretion magistrates and judges wield regarding pretrial release decisions, allows for suspension of magistrates by the state chief justice, and mandates additional mental health evaluations for many defendants.
