Fox News Dallas correspondent Brooke Taylor broke out a key development in the Charlotte light rail murder case, saying the defendant has been found “incompetent to stand trial.”
“ICYMI: Homeless man with long criminal record…found incompetent to stand trial,” Taylor wrote in a post on X, while retweeting Bill Melukin’s latest news.
court documents indicate DeCarlos Brown Jr. He was deemed unfit after a mental health assessment found he was unable to understand legal proceedings or assist in the defence.
Court documents detail competency ruling
Brown, 35, was evaluated at Central Regional Hospital and found “unable to continue treatment” in a report on Dec. 29, 2025, WCNC reported.
He is accused of stabbing to death 23-year-old man Irina Zarutska Ride the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) light rail in August 2025.
Brown faces a state charge of first-degree murder, as well as a separate federal indictment that could make him eligible for the death penalty.
His attorneys have filed a motion to delay a key Rule 24 hearing used in capital cases for 180 days, citing his federal detention as an obstacle. The state has agreed to proceed.
What does “cannot continue” mean?
Legal experts said the designation paused rather than ended the trial process. If a defendant is unable to understand the proceedings or assist counsel, they will be deemed unfit to stand trial.
Attorney Tim Cannady, who is not involved in the case, told WCNC that such defendants are typically placed in secure mental health facilities where efforts to regain competency may occur.
“I imagine he will eventually be taken to some hospital … to try to regain that ability,” Cannady said, adding that authorities could detain the defendant for a period of time under state law.
Also read: Did DeCarlos Brown Jr. say “I got the white girl” before killing Irina Zaruczka? it’s a fact
Victims’ stories and family reactions
Zalucka, who fled the war Ukrainewho was working at a pizzeria in Charlotte and studying at community college. She was reportedly just minutes away from her home when she was killed.
Her family described her death as “tragic and avoidable”. Their attorney, Lauren Newton, told WCNC: “We have to let the justice system work… The family wants to make sure this is handled correctly.”
Newton added that civil legal action remains an option and that the estate is open ahead of a potential wrongful death lawsuit.
Brown, who has a criminal record in Mecklenburg County, faces parallel state and federal lawsuits. No trial dates have been set in either case because competency is now in question.
