NC Dem Rep. Dismisses Link Between Bail Reforms and Murder
North Carolina state Representative Marcia Morey, a Democrat, has faced criticism for her assertion that there is ‘no correlation’ between the murder of Iryna Zarutska and the fact that her accused killer had been released from jail 30 times. The comments were made as part of her defense of the state’s bail system, drawing backlash from critics who argue that the system has allowed violent offenders to cycle in and out of custody without sufficient accountability. Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, was allegedly stabbed to death on a light rail train in Charlotte by Decarlos Brown, a dangerous career criminal with a history of repeated jail releases.
The incident has sparked a debate over criminal justice reform, with some lawmakers, including Republicans, pushing for changes to the bail system to prevent repeat offenders from being released. The tragedy has also prompted the passage of ‘Iryna’s Law’ in North Carolina, which aims to eliminate cashless bail, reflecting the growing concern over the system’s impact on public safety. However, Morey, a long-time advocate for bail reform, maintains that the murder is not directly linked to the bail system and defends her stance during a legislative session.
Republican Senate Leader Phil Berger has criticized the current bail policies, arguing they endanger public safety by allowing violent offenders to remain free. He called for stronger measures, including the revival of the death penalty for the most heinous crimes. Meanwhile, supporters of the bail reform advocate for a system that is fair to low-income defendants who cannot afford cash bail. The families of victims like Zarutska believe the consequences of the system are deadly, as repeat offenders are given multiple chances to commit further crimes.