The judge in North Carolina who permitted the release of a habitual offender, who later attacked a Ukrainian refugee, has faced criticism for allowing him back on the streets.
Judge Teresa Stokes released Decarlos Brown Jr. in January, roughly seven months before he allegedly killed Iryna Zarutska on August 22.
Despite Brown, 34, being homeless with numerous prior arrests, including armed robbery and assault, Stokes granted his release on a ‘written promise’ to return for his court date.
Brown was detained on January 19 for reportedly ‘misusing the 911 system’ after calling emergency services during a welfare check by police.
During the ordeal, Brown, who is schizophrenic, told police he thought that ‘man made’ materials were inside his body controlling his movements.
‘Brown wanted officers to investigate this “man-made” material that was inside of his body,’ the arrest affidavit reads.
‘Officers advised Brown that the issue was medical issue and that there was nothing further they could do.’
This response sent Brown into a rage, and he called 911. Officers arrested him and charged him with a misdemeanor.
Iryna Zarutska’s grieving family stated she had recently come to the US to escape the war, seeking safety and a fresh start before the tragic incident.
Judge Teresa Stokes (pictured) granted bail to Decarlos Brown Jr. in January, about seven months before authorities claim he murdered Iryna Zarutska on August 22.
Horrific footage captured the moment Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, 23, was stabbed to death from behind as she sat on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 22
Even Brown’s mother said the court system failed the community by allowing him to roam free despite his serious mental health issues, according to Newsweek.
She said he was placed under psychiatric monitoring for two weeks after she secured an involuntary commitment order when he was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2014.
The desperate mother said that he became so aggressive that she had to kick him out of her home.
Brown’s lengthy history of run-ins with the law also includes assaulting his sister in 2021, leaving her with minor injuries, and armed robbery in 2014.
Despite these crimes, and Brown being a potential flight risk because he was not fixed to any set address, Stokes released him during his court hearing about the 911 call.
A document outlining the condition of his release seen by the Daily Mail shows that it was authorized with only a ‘written promise to appear’ at his next court hearing.
The court memo from Mecklenburg County includes Stokes’ signature, and one of Brown’s many mugshots showing him looking dazed with his eyebrows raised.
Social media users have been quick to name and shame the judge, claiming that she should take responsibility for allowing Brown to be free to commit his next crime, which ultimately ended a 23-year-old refugee’s life.
Florida Rep. Randy Fine called for ‘every judge’ who released Brown to be ‘held accountable’.
Sharing a photograph of Iryna alongside Brown, he wrote: ‘This monster on the right is who the pro-crime Democrats want sitting next to you and your family on public transportation.
‘I pray for the family of Iryna Zarutska. Every judge that released the criminal Decarlos Brown needs to be held accountable.’
People on social media blasted Stokes for allowing Brown to be released on bail
Many other X users expressed their shock that a series of judges, ending with Stokes, simply ‘let him go’ despite his laundry list of arrests.
‘Unbelievable,’ one person wrote, while another pointed out that he had been released several times.
The Daily Mail has contacted Stokes for comment.
President Donald Trump also blasted the decision to allow Brown to be out on the streets, and blamed his political rivals who run the city for the tragedy.
Writing about the case on Truth Social, he said: ‘The perpetrator was a well known career criminal, who had been previously arrested and released on CASHLESS BAIL in January, a total of 14 TIMES.
‘What the hell was he doing riding the train, and walking the streets? Criminals like this need to be LOCKED UP.
‘The blood of this innocent woman can literally be seen dripping from the killer’s knife, and now her blood is on the hands of the Democrats who refuse to put bad people in jail, including Former Disgraced Governor and “Wannabe Senator” Roy Cooper.
‘North Carolina, and every State, needs LAW AND ORDER, and only Republicans will deliver it!
‘Additionally, where is the outrage from the Mainstream Media on this horrible tragedy? VOTE FOR MICHAEL WHATLEY FOR UNITED STATES SENATE, HE WON’T LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN!’
Brown allegedly stabbed Zarutska to death at South End light rail station in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 22.
He was arrested soon after and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Brown was then charged with first-degree murder on his release.
Zarutska had only recently arrived in the US ‘seeking safety from the war and hoping for a new beginning’, her family said on a GoFundMe page.
Brown’s previous crimes saw him serve five years in prison for a 2014 armed robbery and was released in September, 2020.
Just months after his release from prison, on February, 2021, Brown was arrested for assaulting his sister in Charlotte and leaving her with minor injuries, according to police records obtained by the Daily Mail. It’s unclear whether he was convicted.
Brown has spent most of his life in and out of prison. He served five years in prison for a 2014 armed robbery and was released in September, 2020 – when he quickly resumed a life of crime
Zarutska’s family called her death ‘an irreparable loss’
That same month, he was also arrested for injury to personal property and trespassing.
A police report from that incident said Brown ‘returned to the address after being told he was not allowed back and kicked and damaged the front door of the listed victim’s residence.’
In July 2022, Brown was then arrested again for a domestic disturbance. It’s unclear whether he was convicted.
‘[Brown] was arrested for disorderly conduct. The suspect was yelling and cursing, causing a disturbance and drawing the attention of multiple tenants while on the property the call for service was located,’ read the police report.
Brown’s arrest records go as back as 2007, when he was still a minor.
Over the next seven years, he was arrested at least six times for crimes including felony larceny, robbery with a dangerous weapon and communicating threats.
According to the Charlotte Observer, most of the charges he faced during that time were dropped.
When reached for comment, the Mecklenburg District Attorney’s Office told the Daily Mail Tuesday it cannot speak about defendants with pending cases.
‘In broad terms, it remains the position of the District Attorney’s office that those who commit violent crimes should be held in custody pending trial,’ the DA’s office said.
