Anonymous ID: 1924b0 Sept. 9, 2025, 4:18 p.m. No.23569935   🗄️.is 🔗kun   >>0048 >>0165

>>23569888

 

Suspect in Charlotte train stabbing facing federal charges, possible death penalty: DOJ

 

The suspect in the fatal stabbing of a Ukrainian woman on Charlotte's light rail system late last month is now facing federal charges that would make him eligible for the death penalty, according to the Justice Department.

Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, who was arrested on Aug. 22 after he fatally stabbed 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, was charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Western District of North Carolina with committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system, which could make him eligible for the death penalty, the DOJ said on Tuesday.

"This brutal attack on an innocent woman simply trying to get to her destination is an attack on the American way of life. Of course, crimes like this affect the victim the most – Iryna deserves justice, and we will bring justice to her and her family," U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson said in a statement on Tuesday.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Ferguson described the incident as a "terroristic act" and said he and North Carolina FBI Special Agent James Barnacle Jr. spoke to Zarutska's mother and uncle to alert them of the federal charges. Ferguson said the family is "suffering like any of us would be."

"No one should sit in fear while on the light rail," Ferguson said as he held back tears.

The charges come after Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said the city is now increasing security on commuter trains "effective immediately," as the attack continues to spark outrage among elected officials.

"As I reflect on the tragic murder of Iryna Zarutska my heart continues to go out to her family and our community as we try to make sense of this horrific and senseless loss," Lyles said in a statement Monday evening.

Zartuska, who was previously living in a bomb shelter in Ukraine before coming to the U.S., was stabbed while riding the Lynx Blue Line in Charlotte, according to an affidavit obtained by ABC News. She had just finished work and was on her way home when she was "brutally murdered," Ferguson said.

The recent release of the attack on video has caused national outrage, with U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy saying the department is investigating the city and "its failure to protect Iryna Zarutska."

"If mayors can't keep their trains and buses safe, they don't deserve the taxpayers' money," Duffy said in a post shared to X on Monday.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein also said he was "appalled" the the unprovoked murder.

 

"We need more cops on the beat to keep people safe," Stein said in a statement on Monday.

 

This comes after the Charlotte Area Transit System, or CATS, confirmed to ABC News there was not security on board the train at the time of the attack, with a spokesperson saying a security team "patrols the system, they are not stationed in one area."

 

"At the time of the incident they were riding on a train directly in front of where the incident occurred," a spokesperson for CATS told ABC News.

 

Lyles said "effective immediately" CATS security personnel will be "re-deployed for a stronger presence on Blue Line platforms" and police will also be "increasing patrols at key areas across the transit system."

 

"Residents across our community and visitors to our region depend on public transit. We owe it to them to make sure our public transit system and our city are safe and secure," Lyles said.

 

https://abcnews.go.com/US/charlotte-increases-security-train-ukrainian-woman-killed/story?id=125397170

Anonymous ID: 1924b0 Sept. 9, 2025, 4:20 p.m. No.23569944   🗄️.is 🔗kun

>>23569888

 

Suspect in Charlotte train stabbing facing federal charges, possible death penalty: DOJ

 

The suspect in the fatal stabbing of a Ukrainian woman on Charlotte's light rail system late last month is now facing federal charges that would make him eligible for the death penalty, according to the Justice Department.

Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, who was arrested on Aug. 22 after he fatally stabbed 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, was charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Western District of North Carolina with committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system, which could make him eligible for the death penalty, the DOJ said on Tuesday.

"This brutal attack on an innocent woman simply trying to get to her destination is an attack on the American way of life. Of course, crimes like this affect the victim the most – Iryna deserves justice, and we will bring justice to her and her family," U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson said in a statement on Tuesday.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Ferguson described the incident as a "terroristic act" and said he and North Carolina FBI Special Agent James Barnacle Jr. spoke to Zarutska's mother and uncle to alert them of the federal charges. Ferguson said the family is "suffering like any of us would be."

"No one should sit in fear while on the light rail," Ferguson said as he held back tears.

The charges come after Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said the city is now increasing security on commuter trains "effective immediately," as the attack continues to spark outrage among elected officials.

"As I reflect on the tragic murder of Iryna Zarutska my heart continues to go out to her family and our community as we try to make sense of this horrific and senseless loss," Lyles said in a statement Monday evening.

Zartuska, who was previously living in a bomb shelter in Ukraine before coming to the U.S., was stabbed while riding the Lynx Blue Line in Charlotte, according to an affidavit obtained by ABC News. She had just finished work and was on her way home when she was "brutally murdered," Ferguson said.

The recent release of the attack on video has caused national outrage, with U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy saying the department is investigating the city and "its failure to protect Iryna Zarutska."

"If mayors can't keep their trains and buses safe, they don't deserve the taxpayers' money," Duffy said in a post shared to X on Monday.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein also said he was "appalled" the the unprovoked murder.

 

"We need more cops on the beat to keep people safe," Stein said in a statement on Monday.

 

This comes after the Charlotte Area Transit System, or CATS, confirmed to ABC News there was not security on board the train at the time of the attack, with a spokesperson saying a security team "patrols the system, they are not stationed in one area."

 

"At the time of the incident they were riding on a train directly in front of where the incident occurred," a spokesperson for CATS told ABC News.

 

Lyles said "effective immediately" CATS security personnel will be "re-deployed for a stronger presence on Blue Line platforms" and police will also be "increasing patrols at key areas across the transit system."

 

"Residents across our community and visitors to our region depend on public transit. We owe it to them to make sure our public transit system and our city are safe and secure," Lyles said.

 

https://abcnews.go.com/US/charlotte-increases-security-train-ukrainian-woman-killed/story?id=125397170

Anonymous ID: 1924b0 Sept. 9, 2025, 4:28 p.m. No.23569984   🗄️.is 🔗kun   >>0001

>>23569969

I blame every single judge that release that piece of shit from custody 13 times. Every judge needs to be held accountable that was involved in that guy being free. His own mother said that when he left jail, and came home. He was not the same person. She even notified police about his behavior. Every judge needs to be held accountable. This is bullshit.

Anonymous ID: 1924b0 Sept. 9, 2025, 4:40 p.m. No.23570040   🗄️.is 🔗kun   >>0043

>>23569987

Hey Peter what’s happening…. If you could take your puzzle party to another bread that would be great. We are behind on our shitposting and playing a little catch up…. Mmmmkkkkk

Anonymous ID: 1924b0 Sept. 9, 2025, 5:05 p.m. No.23570176   🗄️.is 🔗kun   >>0201 >>0225

>>23570001

 

Who IsTeresa Stokes?Charlotte Judge Who Released DeCarlos Brown Jr.

Judge Teresa Stokes has attracted scrutiny on social media after it emerged that she presided over a previous case involving DeCarlos Brown Jr. months before he was accused of murdering a Ukrainian refugee.

Records show that Brown has been arrested 14 times in over a decade and was diagnosed with schizophrenia.

He has previously been convicted of felony larceny, robbery with a dangerous weapon and communicating threats, leading to a six-year prison sentence in 2015 for incidents dating to 2013 and 2014. He was released in 2020; then, months later, he was charged with assaulting his sister.

Newsweek reached out to Mecklenburg County Court via email outside of normal office hours for comment.

The Context

The attack occurred on the Lynx Blue Line near the Camden Road area in Charlotte's South End shortly before 10 p.m., police said. A video released by the Charlotte Area Transit System shows Zarutska sitting on the train shortly before Brown allegedly stood up and stabbed her in the neck from behind with a folding knife.

Zarutska was pronounced dead at the scene, and a suspect was taken to the hospital for treatment due to a hand injury. A folding knife was located near the platform, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Stokes is a magistrate judge for the Charlotte District in Mecklenburg County Court, North Carolina.

She has also been linked to a charity that provides mental health and addiction support by social media users, though Newsweek was unable to verify these claims.

In January 2025, Brown was arrested for alleged "misuse of the 911 system" and was released after signing a written promise to appear at his next court hearing, according to court documents signed by Stokes and seen by Newsweek.

This is a tragic failure on several levels," Matthew Mangino, a former district attorney in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, told Newsweek. "Judge Stokes is responsible for making bail decisions. The standard is 'will the accused appear for future proceedings' and 'is the accused a threat to the public.' It would appear that DeCarlos Brown, Jr. had a history of violent criminal conduct.

"The unseen failure is the dismantling of community mental health care. Brown has mental health problems. Was he receiving mental health treatment while on the street? Unfortunately, for some former offenders, the only place they receive mental health care is in jail or prison," he continued.

"Should a judge send someone 'accused' of a crime to jail simply because they are mentally ill?"

Florida Representative Randy Fine, on X: "I'm going to introduce legislation to hold judges accountable when violent repeat offenders they release commit new crimes. It's easy to release criminals when you're protected by an armed bailiff at all times. The rest of us aren't so lucky. Those 12+ judges that released Decarlos Brown Jr. should have their day in court too."

Elon Musk, on X: "Let's change the law. Between now and then, name and shame the DAs and judges who enable murder, rape and robbery. But especially shame those who funded the campaigns of the DAs and judges. That will make the biggest difference."

What Happens Next

Court records confirmed that Brown is being held without bond at the Mecklenburg County Jail. A judge had ordered a competency evaluation, according to WBTV.

His next court appearance is scheduled for September 19

 

https://www.newsweek.com/teresa-stokes-charlotte-judge-decarlos-brown-jr-2126808

Anonymous ID: 1924b0 Sept. 9, 2025, 5:17 p.m. No.23570226   🗄️.is 🔗kun

>>23570201

Looks like she’s going be forced to step down. Still looking looking for her pic. Looks like there’s 14 other judges that should be made famous as well.

Anonymous ID: 1924b0 Sept. 9, 2025, 5:24 p.m. No.23570259   🗄️.is 🔗kun

>>23570225

 

Judge Teresa Stokes

He was released by Magistrate Judge Teresa Stokes on a promise that he would return to court. He should have been detained with his rap sheet. Stokes runs a treatment center and some online believe it’s a conflict of interest. However, there is no evidence that she committed an offense using the therapy center other than releasing a dangerous criminal. on to the streets

 

Brown’s own mother had sought an involuntary commitment for him. He is homeless and has Schizophrenia. Despite his violent criminal history, mental illness, and lack of a fixed address, Stokes let him go with no bond required.

 

Stokes, appointed and supervised by the chief district judge in Mecklenburg County, is not a licensed attorney or a member of the North Carolina State Bar, although magistrates in the state are not required to be. Under law, magistrates may qualify with a four-year college degree or a two-year associate degree and four years of experience in a related field.

 

She is not even a lawyer. We need better people making these decisions.

 

Stokes’s name appears on a now-deleted Bold.Pro profile listing her as director of operations at the Second Chance Recovery and a magistrate, but that listed role could not be confirmed independently.

 

Someone answering the phone told Washington Examiner the crime has nothing to do with them. So far, that appears to be accurate.

 

https://www.independentsentinel.com/meet-the-judge-who-released-killer-decarlos-brown/