Randy Fine pushes legislation to hold judges accountable after murder of Iryna Zarutska

Published September 8, 2025 4:46pm ET



Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) is preparing legislation that would hold judges accountable for releasing violent repeat offenders, a move prompted by the fatal stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee on a Charlotte light rail train.

The case has drawn national attention after a video surfaced showing the 23-year-old woman being attacked on board, unprompted. The suspect, 34-year-old Decarlos Brown, was arrested after the stabbing and charged with first-degree murder. Court records show Brown has a lengthy criminal history, including convictions for armed robbery, felony larceny, and breaking and entering. 

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