DeCarlos Brown Jr. found incompetent to proceed in Charlotte
Charlotte Observer • • nation
Key Points:
- DeCarlos Brown Jr., charged with the murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, has been found "incapable to proceed" on the state murder charge due to mental health issues, according to court filings.
- Brown, a 35-year-old homeless man diagnosed with schizophrenia, faces both state and federal murder charges related to the August stabbing of 23-year-old Zarutska.
- His state public defender requested a delay of the Rule 24 hearing, where prosecutors decide on seeking the death penalty, citing Brown's incapacity to participate in his defense.
- Despite President Trump's call for the death penalty, North Carolina has had a moratorium on executions for 20 years, and Brown will remain in federal custody pending his federal case.
- Prosecutors agreed to a six-month pause in the state hearing while a second federal psychiatric evaluation is conducted.
