CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The mental health of a man accused of stabbing a woman to death on a Charlotte Light Rail train is now a topic in the courtroom. A medical professional looked into DeCarlos Brown’s mental state and they say he’s incapable to proceed with state charges.
Brown’s attorney filed a motion asking a judge to delay a hearing for the death penalty in the case because of Brown’s mental state.
“What we did learn from his public defender is that the medical professional says he was incapable to proceed under the state charges,” Lauren Newton, Attorney, Tin, Fulton, Walker & Owen said.
Lauren Newton represents the family of Iryna Zarutska. The 23-year-old was killed on the Blue Line back in August. Authorities say DeCarlos Brown did not know Zarutska.
Brown’s Public Defender asked a judge to delay a Rule 24 hearing for the death penalty in the case because of Brown’s mental state. Newton says a judge would have to solidify Brown’s incapacity in a hearing.
“If he is deemed incapable to proceed under the statutes with the state criminal charges, then there may be other proceedings, such as proceedings, to bring him competent or to restore his competency through things like medication and that is a process that still has to play out,” Newton said.
Newton says murder cases often take 6 to 8 years to play out, but she says justice delayed doesn’t mean justice denied.
“The wheels of justice have never moved swift. And usually when justice moves too quickly, errors happen and that’s what neither side wants,” Newton said.
Newton says Brown is an example of how mental illness is treated in the court system.
“I think there’s still a big gap and a lack of resources for mental health within our court system and within our state system. I mean, we see how long it takes to just to do an evaluation of someone,” Newton said.
Newton says Zarutska’s family is grieving and they appreciate the public support like murals and memorials, but they need to see CATS make more safety changes on the light rail.
“I think we need to be spending less money on PR campaigns and more on security,” Newton said.
Brown is currently in federal custody. He is facing murder charges on the federal and state level. He is in the process of completing a federal mental health evaluation.