Soft-on-Crime Judges Could Be Held Liable if GOP Rep Randy Fine’s Bill Passes [WATCH]

Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., announced on Sunday that he will introduce legislation aimed at holding judges accountable when repeat violent offenders they release commit additional crimes.

The move comes in response to the August 22 killing of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, who was fatally stabbed while traveling on Charlotte’s Lynx Blue Line light rail system.

The attack took place at the East/West Boulevard station in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Authorities identified the suspect as 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr., a repeat offender with a history of felony convictions.

“I’m going to introduce legislation to hold judges accountable when violent repeat offenders they release commit new crimes,” Fine said.

“It’s easy to release criminals when you’re protected by an armed bailiff at all times. The rest of us aren’t so lucky.”

He added, “Those 12+ judges that released Decarlos Brown Jr. should have their day in court too.”

I’m going to introduce legislation to hold judges accountable when violent repeat offenders they release commit new crimes.

It’s easy to release criminals when you’re protected by an armed bailiff at all times. The rest of us aren’t so lucky.

Those 12+ judges that released…

— Congressman Randy Fine (@RepFine) September 7, 2025

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Brown has a lengthy criminal record.

According to the New York Post, he has been convicted of felony larceny, communicating threats, and robbery with a dangerous weapon, for which he served a five-year sentence.

Local station WBTV reported that Charlotte police had arrested Brown on multiple occasions, including a January arrest for misusing 911.

Court records from that arrest indicate Brown told officers that he believed “man-made material” had been placed inside his body to control his actions, including eating, walking, and talking.

Following the rail station stabbing, Brown was taken into custody and charged with murder.

The case has raised concerns about judicial leniency toward repeat offenders.

Fine’s proposal would focus on creating accountability measures for judges who approve the release of individuals with violent criminal histories and who then commit further crimes.

President Donald Trump also addressed the killing, offering condolences to the victim’s family and criticizing the conditions that allowed Brown to be free at the time of the attack.

“I just give my love and hope to the family of the young woman who was stabbed … in Charlotte by a madman — a lunatic,” Trump said.

Describing the attack, he noted, “He just got up and started — it’s right on the tape. [It’s] not really watchable, because it’s so horrible, but just viciously stabbed. She’s just sitting there.”

Trump added, “So they’re evil people. We have to be able to handle that. If we don’t handle that we don’t have a country.”

🚨 JUST IN – TRUMP HONORS IRYNA ZARUTSKA: “I give my love and hope to the family of the young woman who was stabbed in Charlotte by a madman… a lunatic… while she’s just SITTING THERE.

There are EVIL PEOPLE. We have to be able to handle that. If we don’t handle that, we… pic.twitter.com/87kVS5yMjd

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 8, 2025

The murder has drawn criticism of the broader criminal justice system, particularly in Charlotte, where residents and officials have previously expressed concern over repeat offenders being released back into the community.

Fine’s upcoming legislation is expected to generate debate over the role of judicial discretion in such cases and whether lawmakers should impose additional checks on judges who release individuals with violent records.

The killing of Zarutska, a young refugee seeking safety in the United States, and the criminal history of the accused, showcase the ongoing discussion over public safety and judicial accountability.

Lawmakers are preparing to examine Fine’s proposal in the coming weeks as the case continues to unfold in North Carolina courts.