Man accused of stabbing Ukrainian immigrant Iryna Zarutska found unfit to stand trial

10 Jun 2026 • 4:50 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Man accused of stabbing Ukrainian immigrant Iryna Zarutska found unfit to stand trial

  • Decarlos Brown Jr., accused of fatally stabbing Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte light rail train, has been found not fit to stand trial.
  • During a court hearing, Brown reportedly shouted about having “material in his body” and expressed a desire to press charges against the FBI.
  • The judge ruled that Brown will remain in custody for up to four months to receive medication and treatment to restore his competency.
  • Iryna Zarutska, 23, who had fled Ukraine, was attacked by Brown last August, with federal prosecutors stating surveillance video showed him stabbing her three times.
  • Donald Trump called Brown a “deranged monster” and emphasized the need for a strong response to violent repeat offenders.

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