United States: the murderer of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska declared unfit to stand trial by psychiatrists

The incident had sparked strong emotions in the United States, especially among conservative circles. A man accused of murdering a Ukrainian refugee has been declared mentally unfit to stand trial, as reported by American media outlets on Wednesday.

DeCarlos Brown, 35, is suspected of fatally stabbing 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska as she was returning from work on a tram in Charlotte, North Carolina, in August 2025.

Local media, including WBTV, reported that psychiatrists deemed DeCarlos Brown “unfit” to stand trial, and his lawyer requested a postponement of the proceedings.

Regarding the murderer, Donald Trump had called for a speedy trial and the death penalty on his Truth Social network, labeling Brown as an “animal.” White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt referred to DeCarlos Brown, who had been previously convicted multiple times, as a “monster” who should be locked away.

Footage of the murder, captured by surveillance cameras, was widely circulated by conservative media and social media accounts to support Donald Trump’s tough-on-crime policy.

Since his return to power over a year ago, the American president has sent or attempted to send troops to several cities led by his Democratic opponents, such as Washington and Los Angeles, in the name of fighting crime.