The man accused of stabbing Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska to death on a North Carolina train went on a crazed rant during a federal court appearance Tuesday in which he was ruled incompetent to stand trial.
Outburst in Court
During his 15-minute court hearing in Charlotte, Decarlos Brown Jr.’s outburst included him shouting about having “material in his body,” Queen City News reported. He also reportedly yelled that he wanted to press charges against the FBI and asked the judge whether he had reviewed his evaluation. As he was being led out of the courthouse, Brown reportedly asked the judge if he had received a letter from his mother. The 35-year-old also told court he was having a “body emergency,” WBTV reported.
Horrific Stabbing Captured on Video
Brown is accused of killing Zarutska on a Charlotte light rail train in August 2025 in an unprovoked attack that made headlines around the world. Surveillance video of the alleged stabbing showed the 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee sitting on an aisle seat on the train in front of a man purported to be Brown. She was looking at her cellphone when she was stabbed three times from behind by the person with a pocketknife. Zarutska was pronounced dead at the scene.
Federal Prosecutor Optimistic Case Will Proceed
Brown faces a federal charge of committing an act causing death on a mass-transportation system and a state charge of first-degree murder. Regarding the federal charge, the judge on Tuesday found Brown incompetent to stand trial “at this time,” U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Russ Ferguson said, per WBTV. “The court found that his prognosis is ‘good’ to be made competent and set a four-month deadline to have that process go forward,” Ferguson said. He also said the court ordered that Brown “seek treatment and medication,” adding that the accused attacker will remain in federal custody during his treatment, which will include meetings with a doctor. “Our number one goal here is justice for Iryna Zarutska and Iryna Zarutska’s family. That’s what’s on the top of our minds and our hearts every day, and this is a step in that process,” Ferguson said.
State’s Case Also Delayed
Regarding Brown’s state charge, he was similarly deemed incapable of proceeding to trial in April following a mental health evaluation, with his case being delayed at least six months. State prosecutors have said they will wait until after the federal case is completed before resuming their prosecution. If convicted of the federal charge, Brown could face the death penalty.
