A federal judge has determined that the man accused of fatally stabbing a Ukrainian immigrant on a North Carolina light rail train cannot stand trial due to mental incompetence, delaying justice for a grieving family that fled to America seeking safety.
Decarlos Brown, charged with the August 2025 killing of Iryna Zarutska, was ordered Tuesday to undergo a four-month treatment program designed to restore his mental capacity. The ruling covers federal charges of violence on a mass transportation system resulting in death, charges that carry the potential for the death penalty.
Brown’s courtroom behavior underscored the concerns about his mental state. According to Spectrum 1 News, the defendant had multiple outbursts during the hearing. At one point, Brown claimed he had a letter from his mother for the judge, prompting the court to warn him to remain silent.
This is the second time Brown has been found incompetent to face charges in Zarutska’s death. A Mecklenburg County court reached the same conclusion in April regarding state-level first-degree murder charges filed in September 2025. A federal grand jury added the additional charges the following month.
Zarutska was riding a Charlotte light rail train when she was stabbed to death in what authorities describe as a completely random attack. The senseless nature of the violence has shaken the local community and raised questions about public safety on mass transit systems.
The victim’s family, speaking through their attorney, expressed measured confidence in the legal process despite the setback. “This was not unexpected,” the family said. “We have confidence that his capacity will be restored so he can stand trial for what he did to Iryna.”
Prosecutors echoed that sentiment Tuesday, stating they believe Brown’s mental capacity can be restored within a few months through forced medication. The treatment program will attempt to bring Brown to a mental state where he can understand the proceedings against him and assist in his own defense, a constitutional requirement for criminal trials.
The four-month treatment timeline means Brown could potentially face trial later this year if the program succeeds in restoring his competency. Should the treatment fail, the court would need to reassess the situation, potentially further delaying proceedings.
