“Iryna’s Law” Could Affect Death Penalty for Her Killer
The tragic murder of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on August 22 shocked the nation.
Zarutska was stabbed on a Charlotte train by Decarlos Brown Jr., a known felon with 14 prior arrests.
She died at the scene despite witnesses’ efforts to save her.
In response, North Carolina passed House Bill 307, “Iryna’s Law,” signed by Governor Josh Stein.
The law helps courts flag dangerous individuals for stricter bail considerations and
includes provisions that could allow capital punishment, including rare methods like firing squads.
However, Stein clarified he opposes firing squads; lethal injection remains the state’s only execution method.
Brown faces the death penalty if convicted. The law honors Zarutska’s memory and aims to prevent similar tragedies.
