North Carolina Republicans Seek Removal of Judge for Fatal Light Rail Release

North Carolina lawmakers, led by Congressman Tim Moore and supported by ten House Republicans, are calling for the removal of Magistrate Judge Teresa Stokes following her decision to release Decarlos Brown Jr., the man accused of fatally stabbing 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte light rail train. The lawmakers criticized Stokes' decision to release Brown without bail or stringent conditions despite his extensive criminal record, mental illness diagnosis, and history of erratic behavior, describing it as a "willful and persistent failure" to perform her judicial duties that directly endangered public safety. Brown, who has at least 14 prior arrests and was previously diagnosed with schizophrenia, was charged federally with committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system, potentially facing life imprisonment or the death penalty. The stabbing incident, captured on surveillance footage, has sparked outrage and a broader debate on judicial accountability and public safety policies in North Carolina. Moore emphasized the killing was "preventable" and called for accountability, with the lawmakers urging Chief District Court Judge Roy Wiggins to initiate formal removal proceedings against Stokes. Family members and advocates have also urged the public to honor Zarutska's memory amid the national outcry over the case.