Governor Signs ‘Iryna’s Law’ Restoring Death Penalty

Charlotte, NC, October 8, 2025

News Summary

In North Carolina, Governor Josh Stein has signed ‘Iryna’s Law’, reinstating the death penalty in response to the murder of Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee. The law introduces stricter pretrial release conditions and allows convicted individuals to choose their method of execution. It aims to address public safety concerns and mental health evaluations in the justice system. While the legislation has support from Republicans, it has sparked debate over the morality and effectiveness of capital punishment and raised questions about the pretrial release system.

Charlotte, North Carolina – Governor Josh Stein has officially signed a significant criminal justice bill into law known as “Iryna’s Law”, restoring the death penalty in the state. This legislative action comes in direct response to the tragic murder of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, who was killed on August 22, 2025, while riding a light rail train in Charlotte.

The accused, DeCarlos Brown Jr., has an extensive history of arrests and was reportedly released on cashless bail just prior to the fatal incident. His prior criminal record raises concerns about the adequacy of the pretrial release system in North Carolina. Iryna’s Law aims to address such concerns by instituting stricter pretrial release regulations, which now mandate monetary bail for certain offenses and require mandatory mental health evaluations for defendants charged with violent crimes.

The law not only reinstates the death penalty, which has not been utilized for two decades, but it also allows individuals convicted of certain crimes to choose their preferred method of execution. Options include lethal injection, the electric chair, or a firing squad. While the bill has garnered overwhelming support from the Republican-majority state legislature, it has prompted discussions about public safety and mental health care in the justice system.

Despite his reservations regarding the firing squad provision, Governor Stein signed the bill into law. Following the legislation’s passage, he made it clear that there will be no firing squads during his tenure, which lasts until January 2029. Nonetheless, the law allows for considerations of death penalty appeals to be expedited, requiring that they be heard within two years of being filed.

Brown has been referred for a competency evaluation due to a history of schizophrenia, leading to questions surrounding his mental health status at the time of the murder and during the upcoming trial. This aspect of the case adds complexity to the ongoing discussions about the use of the death penalty and the role of mental health in criminal justice.

Critics of capital punishment maintain that the death penalty lacks substantial evidence of a crime deterrent effect. They also point to the risk of wrongful executions, with reports indicating that since 1973, 200 individuals on death row in the United States have been exonerated, including 12 in North Carolina. This highlights the ongoing debate about the morality and effectiveness of the death penalty in deterring violent crime.

The incident resulting in Iryna Zarutska’s death and the subsequent legislative action have led to calls for a review of the magistrate judge who allowed Brown’s earlier release. Governor Stein has emphasized the importance of investing in community-based violence prevention and mental health services as alternative crime deterrents rather than relying on the death penalty.

Zarutska had immigrated to the United States in 2022, fleeing the ongoing war in Ukraine and searching for safety. Tragically, her pursuit of a peaceful life was cut short in Charlotte, igniting a movement for change within the criminal justice system.

Key Features of Iryna’s Law

• Restoration of the Death Penalty: Reinstates the death penalty in North Carolina after a 20-year hiatus.
• Murder of Iryna Zarutska: A catalyst for the legislation, highlighting issues of public safety and pretrial release practices.
• Execution Methods: Convicted individuals can choose from lethal injection, electric chair, or firing squad.
• Stricter Pretrial Regulations: Mandates monetary bail for specific offenses and mandatory mental health evaluations for defendants in violent cases.
• Competency Evaluations: The alleged murderer has been referred for evaluation, raising questions about mental health in the trial process.
• Fast-Track Appeals: Death penalty appeals are to be heard within two years of filing.

Context and Ongoing Debate

The reintroduction of the death penalty through Iryna’s Law has sparked renewed discussions on the need for reforms in the justice system, particularly regarding mental health care and the treatment of defendants with psychological issues. The tragedy associated with Iryna Zarutska’s murder continues to resonate within the community as state officials evaluate the implications of this law moving forward.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Charlotte’s Population Reaches 944,742, Driving State Growth
Tragic Stabbing Incident on Charlotte Light Rail Train
Tragic Stabbing of Ukrainian Refugee Sparks National Debate
Charlotte Police Union Seeks National Guard Amid Crime Surge
Governor Signs Iryna’s Law Amid Controversy in Charlotte
Tragic Stabbing of Ukrainian Refugee on Charlotte Light Rail
North Carolina Legislators Pass ‘Iryna’s Law’ on Pretrial Release and Mental Health
Charlotte Advocates Push for Stricter Violent Crime Laws
Charlotte Hearing Highlights Failures in Justice System
Congressional Hearing Addresses Violent Crime in Charlotte

Additional Resources

• New York Post: Iryna’s Law Could See Ukrainian Refugee’s Killer Face Firing Squad
• CNN: Iryna Zarutska Murder
• Fox News: Charlotte Train Stabbing Incident
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Death Penalty
• Associated Press: Charlotte Train Stabbing
• Google Search: Iryna Zarutska

Author: HERE Charlotte

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