(The Center Square) – Stopping the release of repeat criminal offenders, such as happened in North Carolina followed by a brutal stabbing on a public rail transit, is being sought by the president.
Second-term Republican President Donald Trump, in a 108-minute State of the Union boycotted by 15 senators and 70 members of the House of Representatives, welcomed the mother of Iryna Zarutska as a guest. He called attention to their escape from war-torn Ukraine, the policies of cities he says are led “by pro-crime Democrat politicians” and vowed to fight for justice and tougher legislation.
“Last summer, 23-year-old Iryna was riding home on the train when a deranged monster, who had been arrested over a dozen times and was released through no cash bail, stood up and viciously slashed a knife through her neck and body,” Trump said, acknowledging her mother Anya as his guest in the gallery. “No one will ever forget – there were people on that train, no one will ever forget the expression of terror on Iryna's face as she looked up at her attacker in the last seconds of her life. She died instantly.
“She had escaped a brutal war only to be slain by a hardened criminal set free to kill in America, came in through open borders.”
Decarlos Brown Jr., the suspect seen on video gone viral of the incident on the Charlotte Area Transportation System, was born in Charlotte, graduated from West Charlotte High and studied at the Clements Job Corps Academy in Kentucky from 2008 to 2010. The arrest was his 15th since his first in 2011.
“We have made incredible strides, yet dangerous repeat offenders continue to be released by pro-crime Democrat politicians again and again,” Trump said.
He told her mother, members of Congress and the nation, “Mrs. Zarutska, tonight, I promise you we will ensure justice for your magnificent daughter Iryna. I'm asking this Congress to pass tough legislation to ensure that violent and dangerous repeat offenders are put behind bars and, importantly, that they stay there.”
On Aug. 22, Iryna Zarutska lost her life about four minutes after boarding the Lynx Blue Line around 10 p.m. on Camdem Road near the South End crossing of East Boulevard and West Boulevard. The suspect, as captured on video later released by police, seemingly unprovoked, stood and attacked her from behind.
She died at the scene. Later identified as Brown, the suspect is charged with first-degree murder and has been indicted by a federal grand jury on criminal charges of violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death.
His release in January by a magistrate triggered the General Assembly in Raleigh to create Iryna’s Law. Multiple congressmen also called for her removal as an adjudicator.
Different will be consideration of full criminal history by judges and magistrates before setting a suspect’s pretrial release conditions. Violent offenses will draw stricter conditions.
There is an expected increase in mental health evaluations coming because of the new law.
The law ends the unwritten moratorium on the death penalty as well. Those convicted could be eligible for punishment by death should the aggravating factor of a crime being on public transportation be involved.
Death penalty appeals will no longer wait indefinitely; rather, they must be heard within two years of filing. Continuances are only in the case of extenuating circumstances.
