A high-profile murder case in Charlotte has been thrown into legal limbo.
The man accused of killing 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska on a light rail train has been found “incapable to proceed” on state murder charges, according to a newly filed court motion.
The suspect, Decarlos Brown Jr., was evaluated at Central Regional Hospital in December. A report issued after that evaluation concluded he is not competent to stand trial, according to local reporting.
A judge must now decide whether to accept that finding.
If upheld, the case will be paused while Brown undergoes treatment aimed at restoring his competency — a process that can take months or longer.
The ruling adds a new layer of complexity to a case that had already drawn national attention.
Brown, 35, whose mother told The New York Post, is schizophrenic, was arrested at least 14 times in North Carolina for crimes ranging from assault and firearms possession to felony robbery dating back to 2007.
At the time of the August attack, he had been released on a written promise to appear in court following a separate incident involving a false 911 call.
The killing itself — which was captured on video — shocked the public and intensified scrutiny over criminal justice decisions and public safety.
President Donald Trump previously called for the suspect to face the death penalty under federal charges. But before any trial can move forward, the court must determine whether the accused is mentally fit.
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Crazed homeless man accused of slaughtering Iryna Zarutska on train found incompetent to stand trial https://t.co/BVq243rJyX pic.twitter.com/Aslp4ZGWxO
— New York Post (@nypost) April 8, 2026
