Homeless Man Accused of St£bbing 23-Year-Old Model Iryna Zarutska on Train Found Incompetent to Stand Trial

The homeless man accused of fatally st£bbing 23-year-old Ukrainian woman Iryna Zarutska aboard a rail train in August 2025 has been deemed incapable of proceeding with state murder charges, according to newly filed court documents.

A motion filed on April 7 revealed that Decarlos Brown Jr. underwent a psychiatric evaluation on December 29 at Central Regional Hospital. The resulting report concluded that he is not competent to stand trial.

The findings had previously been sealed in state court and were only made public following the recent motion.

A judge is now expected to review the report and determine whether to accept its conclusions. If upheld, the case will likely face significant delays until Brown’s mental capacity is considered to be “restored” by the court.

In the motion submitted by Brown’s public defender, it was argued that the required competency hearing cannot proceed while the accused remains in federal custody. Additionally, the court is currently unable to order measures aimed at restoring his competency under those circumstances.

Brown has been held in federal custody in Chicago since October 22, when a grand jury indicted him on charges of violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death.

He has also been ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation related to the federal case. However, recent court filings indicate that the evaluation has yet to be completed, and the assessment period has been extended.

According to reports, restoring competency in North Carolina can be a prolonged process due to limited availability in state psychiatric facilities. It is not uncommon for defendants to wait a year or longer before receiving placement.

Brown, 35, has a lengthy criminal history in North Carolina, with at least 14 prior arrests dating back to 2007. His charges have included assault, firearms possession, and felony robbery. His mother reportedly stated that he is schizophrenic.

At the time of the August attack, Brown had been released on cashless bail after a magistrate accepted a “written promise” for a court appearance following a false 911 call.

The shocking, widely circulated attack quickly gained national attention and prompted President Trump to call for Brown to face the death penalty under federal murder charges.

In response to the incident, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein signed “Iryna’s Law” two months later. The legislation restricts the use of cashless bail for certain violent offenses and repeat offenders, while also strengthening monitoring measures for individuals released on bail.