Governor Josh Stein faces critical decision on ‘Iryna’s Law’ as deadline looms

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Governor Josh Stein is facing a critical decision as the deadline arrives for him to act on “Iryna’s Law,” a high-profile crime bill passed last week.

The legislation, named after the 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska who was stabbed on a Charlotte light rail, aims to eliminate certain forms of cashless bail and establish stricter pretrial release requirements for violent offenses.

HB 307 initially had bipartisan support but sparked intense debate about Senate Republicans added an amendment that could allow North Carolina to resume executions, including methods other than lethal injection. This provision would bypass judicial blockages that have paused execution in the state since 2006.

The suspect in the deadly attack, Decarlos Brown, 34, is a repeat violent offender with past mental health issues. Brown had been arrested more than a dozen times and was released earlier this year by a magistrate on a misdemeanor count without any bond.

Brown is charged with first-degree murder in state court and a federal count in connection with Zarutska’s death. Both crimes can be punishable by the death penalty.

Stein is weighing his options with political analysts suggesting he must decide whether to veto the bill too align with his party’s stance against the death penalty or approve it for its broader public safety measures.

Charlotte leaders are set to announce Friday new safety measures for the city’s light rail system, including increased security patrols and possibly creating a dedicated transit police force.

Note: Featured video is from a previous report.