On August 22, 2025, Decarlos Brown Jr. and Iryna Zarutska both got onto the Charlotte light rail. Zarutska was brutally murdered by Brown Jr., allegedly. I’ve seen a recording of the incident, as have millions of others.
A few months later, Brown was evaluated by Central Regional Hospital and a report was issued that said he was “not competent to stand trial.” Results of that report were sealed until April 7 when a motion was filed by Brown’s attorney. If the judge accepts the report and agrees that Brown is incompetent to stand trial, state charges will be dismissed.
Before this atrocity, Brown had been arrested 14 times and convicted twice (he hadn’t been declared “not competent” for any of those violations). Should mental health issues or incompetence matter in the administration of justice?
