North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein on Friday signed a law that increases checks on criminals getting out on bail following the murder of a Ukrainian refugee on a train in August. (AP Photo/Chris Seward, File)
"Finally, we are getting dangerous criminals off our streets so we can make sure no one else suffers the heartbreak that Iryna Zarutska’s family endured," Charlotte-area Republican state Rep. Tricia Cotham, who was involved with the legislation, said in a news release.
Republicans, including President Donald Trump, have blamed Zarutska’s death on Democrats, accusing them of being soft on crime.
"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," Trump wrote on Truth Social after the attack.
The violent stabbing sparked outrage, especially after security video showing the attack was released.
"We can and must do more to keep people safe," Stein said in a video posted to social media on Friday. "When I review public safety legislation that comes to my desk, I use one simple test: Does it make people safer?"
He said that "Iryna's Law" alerts the judiciary to take a special look at who could warrant an "unusual" risk for violence before determining their bail.
Iryna Zarutska cowers as her attacker towers over her. (NewsNation via Charlotte Area Transit System)
He said he was also troubled by the bill’s "lack of ambition or vision. It simply does not do enough to keep you safe."
The governor said he wanted the legislature to pass his comprehensive bill that would add more police officers on the streets, violence prevention measures like keeping kids out of gangs, and would attempt to make sure that people who are violent or mentally ill don’t have access to guns via background checks.
Booking photo of Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr., taken Aug. 28, 2025, days after the fatal train stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska. (Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO))
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"Iryna’s Law" prohibits cashless bail for some violent crimes and for most repeat offenders; it limits the discretion magistrates and judges have in making pretrial release decisions; allows for the state chief justice to suspend magistrates and requires more defendants to undergo mental health evaluations.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/north-carolina-governor-signs-irynas-law-after-ukrainian-refugees-brutal-train-murder