North Carolina Democrat Says There Is No Correlation Between Charlotte Train Attack and Repeated Releases

A North Carolina state representative, Marcia Morey, defended the state’s bail system, telling lawmakers that there is "no correlation" between the murder of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska and the accused killer’s repeated releases from jail. Morey, a longtime Democratic lawmaker and former judge, said linking Zarutska’s death to bail decisions would be inappropriate and a misreading of the system.

Zarutska was killed on a Charlotte light-rail train as she headed home from work. Authorities have described the suspect as Decarlos Brown, a man with a lengthy criminal record who had been released from jail multiple times before the attack, prompting renewed calls for accountability and reform of pretrial release policies. Morey’s remarks drew swift backlash from Republicans and victims’ families who say the case demonstrates the dangers of allowing repeat offenders back on the street.

Republican leaders argued the Charlotte case underscores the need to reassess bail reforms. Senate Leader Phil Berger contended that policies meant to keep more defendants out of jail while awaiting trial are endangering public safety. "Iryna should still be alive. She should be thriving and enjoying time with her family and friends," Berger said, adding that North Carolina must reject what he called "woke, weak-on-crime" policies and is pursuing steps to revive the death penalty for the most heinous crimes.

Backers of bail reform, however, say the system punishes people who cannot afford to post bail and that pretrial release decisions should be based on risk rather than wealth. They point to cases where low-income defendants are able to await trial without remaining in custody, arguing that the system reduces unnecessary detention and keeps families intact. In the wake of Zarutska’s killing, lawmakers pushed Iryna’s Law, a package of reforms aimed at eliminating cashless bail and expanding judicial discretion to detain potentially dangerous defendants pretrial.

The Charlotte stabbing has sharpened a broader policy debate in North Carolina and across the country about how to balance public safety with due process. Supporters of tougher crime policies argue that policy changes are needed to prevent similar tragedies, while advocates for bail reform emphasize that fairness and accuracy in pretrial decisions are essential to justice. The ongoing dialogue also touches on other measures tied to public safety, including the prospect of reviving the death penalty for the most serious offenses, a step championed by Berger and other Republicans.

Zarutska fled Ukraine for the United States in search of safety and opportunity, and her death has become a focal point in a broader national discussion about crime policy. As North Carolina lawmakers weigh changes to bail procedures and other public-safety tools, Zarutska’s family continues to grieve while policymakers seek a path that protects communities without imprisoning people simply because they lack means to post bail.