The man accused of stabbing Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska has been found to be mentally incompetent to stand trial, according to the Charlotte Observer.
According to the report, Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr. was considered “incapable to proceed” following a December psychiatric evaluation. The finding was revealed this week. Brown previously told authorities he was diagnosed with schizophrenia.
His attorney has requested that the court delay his competency hearing by 180 days.
Former Attorney General Pam Bondi told Jesse Watters of Fox News in October that the Department of Justice planned to pursue the death penalty in the case.
“I plan on signing a warrant to seek the death penalty in that case. He had been arrested 14 times, Jesse, as you know, and should have been in jail when he murdered that beautiful, innocent young woman,” she said. Charges faced by Brown in light of his indictment by a federal grand jury made him eligible for the death penalty.
Following Zarutska’s death, President Trump urged prosecutors to seek the death penalty. “The ANIMAL who so violently killed the beautiful young lady from Ukraine, who came to America searching for peace and safety, should be given a ‘Quick’ (there is no doubt!) Trial, and only awarded THE DEATH PENALTY,” he wrote on Truth Social. “There can be no other option!!!”
A policy honoring the slain refugee took effect in North Carolina in December. According to the law, called “Iryna’s Law,” committing an offense “while the victim was using a public transportation system” will be considered an aggravating factor in death penalty cases.
