Trial for the man charged in Ukrainian woman’s killing on train is delayed for mental health reasons
A federal judge has delayed the trial for Decarlos Brown Jr., who is charged in the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska on a North Carolina commuter train. Brown, 35, faces a federal charge of causing death on a mass transportation system, which is punishable by death, and a separate state charge of first-degree murder. At the request of his attorneys, U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell ruled that Brown is not currently competent to stand trial due to mental illness. He has been ordered to undergo up to four months of medical treatment in a prison facility to attempt to restore his competency. A forensic evaluation found that while Brown is not currently competent, his prognosis for restoration is favorable with treatment. The judge will determine if Brown's competency is restored after the treatment period.