The Liberty Daily 
Florida Congressman Randy Fine plans to introduce a bill holding judges liable for crimes committed by violent offenders they release. The proposal follows the horrific August 22 stabbing murder of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte’s Lynx Blue Line train.
Zarutska fled Ukraine after Russia’s 2022 invasion, seeking safety in the U.S. before her random killing. Suspect Decarlos Brown Jr., 35, faces first-degree murder charges and has a criminal record spanning over a decade.
🚨 MASSIVE NEWS: Congressman Randy Fine (R-FL) is filing legislation to TARGET any judge who releases violent criminals who go on to commit more crime – after the murder of Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte.
“Those 12+ judges that released Decarlos Brown Jr. should have their day in… pic.twitter.com/kgUWAD6CG7
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) September 8, 2025
Brown’s history includes convictions for armed robbery, felony larceny, breaking and entering, assault on a female, and shoplifting. He assaulted his sister months after a prior release and was diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Brown racked up 14 arrests, with multiple judges opting for release despite violent patterns.
Why is the disgusting, senseless, unprovoked murder of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska by a man named Decarlos Brown Jr. on a train in Charlotte NC not getting more media attention?! pic.twitter.com/9UDPxguWhN
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) September 7, 2025
Magistrate Teresa Stokes set no-cash bail for Brown in January 2025 after his misuse of 911 arrest. Mecklenburg County DA Spencer Merriweather called the incident a sign of criminal justice system breakdowns, especially in mental health handling.
Charlotte officials now face calls to boost transit security amid eroded public trust in the light rail system.
Fine’s bill targets such releases, arguing judges enjoy armed protection unavailable to everyday people.
“Those 12+ judges that released Decarlos Brown Jr. should have their day in court too,” Fine stated. “It’s easy to release criminals when you’re protected by an armed bailiff at all times. The rest of us aren’t so lucky.”
In Charlotte, 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr, a homeless man with a criminal history, allegedly stabbed and killed 22-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in a brutal attack
What type of sick human being would already give money to this monster? 😡 GoFundMe should be ashamed pic.twitter.com/otYLVNe9Yo
— Sumit (@SumitHansd) September 8, 2025
Similar efforts, like the 2024 Judiciary Accountability Act, aimed to curb judicial overreach but stalled in Congress. Critics link repeat offender releases to bail reform policies in Democrat-led areas, fueling national debates on crime.
Fine’s measure could inspire state-level changes, pressing for consequences in judicial decisions on public safety.
