In response to the killing of Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian woman fatally stabbed by Decarlos Brown Jr. on a North Carolina train, Republican Rep. Randy Fine has announced plans to introduce legislation targeting judges who release violent criminals. The measure aims to hold judicial officials accountable if released offenders commit subsequent crimes.

Brown, a homeless ex-convict with over a dozen arrests dating back to 2014, was freed despite his criminal history. He served five years for an armed robbery in 2014 and was released in 2020 before being re-arrested months later for assaulting his sister. Court records show he had multiple convictions but remained on the streets when he allegedly murdered Zarutska.

Fine criticized the judicial system, stating judges who released Brown “have blood on their hands” and should face legal consequences. He argued that the current process shields judges from accountability, as they are protected by armed bailiffs while the public is not. The legislation seeks to ensure judges are held responsible for releasing repeat offenders who later commit violent crimes.

The proposal has sparked debate, with critics questioning how such measures would be enforced and whether they address systemic issues in the justice system. Proponents, however, argue that stricter accountability could prevent future tragedies.

Fine emphasized that if similar legislation had been in place earlier, Zarutska’s death might have been avoided. The bill now faces uncertain prospects in a divided Congress.