A North Carolina lawmaker is facing backlash after downplaying a connection between the state’s bail system and the murder of a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee.
State Rep. Marcia Morey, a Democrat from Durham and former judge, said during a legislative session that there was “no correlation” between the death of Iryna Zarutska and the release of the man accused of killing her, despite his lengthy criminal record.
Decarlos Brown, the suspect charged in the case, has been described by law enforcement as a career criminal with a history of arrests.
Authorities say Brown had been jailed and released 14 times before allegedly stabbing Zarutska to death on a Charlotte light rail train in August.
The case has intensified debate over bail policies in North Carolina, with critics pointing to repeated releases of violent offenders as a public safety failure.
“But don’t correlate what happened in January and a magistrate who set a bail according to guidelines to what happened in August. There is no correlation,” Morey said, defending the state’s system of pretrial release.
NC State Rep. Marcia Morey (D) is claiming there is "no correlation" between the brutal m*rder of Iryna Zarutska and the fact that her killer was let out of jail.
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) September 25, 2025
He was a dangerous career criminal who was arrested and released 14 TIMES.
You can’t make this up pic.twitter.com/PdPJ1snIeg
Morey has long been one of the state’s most vocal advocates for bail reform, arguing that the system often discriminates against low-income defendants who cannot afford to post bond.
She has maintained that the current guidelines are designed to ensure fairness and consistency.
However, her remarks drew sharp criticism from lawmakers who say the Zarutska case demonstrates the dangers of allowing repeat offenders to cycle in and out of jail without consequence.
Republican Senate Leader Phil Berger directly linked the crime to policies that he argues put criminals ahead of victims.
“Iryna should still be alive. She should be thriving and enjoying time with her family and friends,” Berger said.
“We cannot let North Carolina be held hostage by woke, weak-on-crime policies and court officials who prioritize criminals over justice for victims. We are also taking steps to revive the death penalty for those who commit the most heinous crimes.”
Families of victims have also spoken out, saying the system’s leniency for repeat offenders often leads to preventable tragedies.
For them, Brown’s history of arrests and releases reflects a pattern of failures that ultimately resulted in Zarutska’s death.
The debate over bail reform has been ongoing in North Carolina for years.
Supporters argue that requiring cash bail disproportionately impacts poor defendants charged with nonviolent offenses, while wealthier individuals accused of serious crimes are able to post bond and secure release.
Opponents say the Zarutska case highlights the flaws of such policies, contending that violent offenders should not be given repeated opportunities to return to the community.
They argue that public safety must outweigh concerns about financial fairness when it comes to individuals with a record of violent behavior.
The killing of Zarutska has added urgency to legislative discussions on bail reform and criminal justice.
While Democrats like Morey continue to press for changes aimed at reducing inequities, Republicans are pushing for stricter measures to ensure repeat offenders remain behind bars.
As the investigation and court proceedings in Brown’s case move forward, Zarutska’s death remains central to a broader debate about crime, punishment, and accountability in North Carolina.
The issue is expected to remain a top focus in the state legislature in the months ahead.
