Judge Released Murder Suspect DeCarlos Brown Jr. on No-Cash Bail Months Before Fatal Stabbing

Charlotte, NC – A decision by Judge Teresa Stokes in January 2025 to release career criminal DeCarlos Brown Jr. on a no-cash bail bond has drawn intense scrutiny following his alleged first-degree murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on August 22, 2025. Brown, who has a lengthy and violent criminal history, was released on a written promise to appear in court despite concerns about his mental state.

Iryna Zarutska, 23, who had fled the war in Ukraine seeking safety, was fatally stabbed in an unprovoked attack on a Lynx Blue Line light rail train in Charlotte. Surveillance footage released by authorities captured the chilling moments of the incident. Zarutska, who worked at a local pizzeria, was pronounced dead at the scene.

DeCarlos Brown Jr., 34, was arrested and charged with Zarutska’s murder. His criminal record includes at least 14 prior arrests, with convictions for offenses such as assault, felony breaking and entering, and serving five years in prison for a 2014 armed robbery. Reports indicate Brown has a history of mental health issues, including diagnosed schizophrenia.

The January 2025 release stemmed from Brown's arrest for misusing the 911 system, where he made bizarre claims about "man-made material" controlling him. During proceedings, Brown's public defender questioned his mental capacity, leading Judge Roy Wiggins to order a forensic evaluation. However, that evaluation reportedly never occurred, and Magistrate Judge Teresa Stokes subsequently released Brown without requiring any cash bail.

The tragic incident has ignited public outcry and fueled debate over judicial leniency and "soft-on-crime" policies. Critics argue that Brown's extensive record and documented mental health concerns should have prevented his release. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department continues its investigation into the murder, while Brown remains held without bond, awaiting a competency evaluation for the murder trial.