New Law Could Influence Execution Method in Murder Case of Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska

The brutal killing of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on August 22 has reignited debate over capital punishment in North Carolina, with the state passing new legislation that could affect how her accused killer, Decarlos Brown Jr., is punished.

Zarutska, who fled the war in Ukraine, was viciously attacked on the Charlotte Area Transit System by Brown, a known felon with 14 prior arrests. Shocking video footage showed Brown stabbing Zarutska three times in the neck before witnesses tried desperately to save her. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

In response to this tragic crime, North Carolina’s Legislature swiftly passed House Bill 307, known as “Iryna’s Law.” Signed into law by Governor Josh Stein on October 3, the bill mandates closer judicial scrutiny of individuals posing significant violence risks during bail hearings.

A notable amendment in the law could allow North Carolina to resume capital punishment using rare methods, including the firing squad. However, Governor Stein publicly opposed firing squads, affirming lethal injection as the only authorized execution method during his tenure.

If convicted, Brown faces the death penalty, though the specific method of execution remains a subject of ongoing legal and ethical debate.

The case has sparked nationwide conversations about justice, capital punishment, and how best to honor victims like Zarutska.

What do you think should happen to Zarutska’s killer? Share your thoughts in the comments.