Charlotte train stabbing: family of accused killer says he should not have been free

[Jilly_in_VA]

The murder of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte-area public transit train has become the latest flashpoint in the national debate over crime and bail reform.

Authorities say the suspect, 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr., admitted to his family he killed Zarutska because he believed she was “reading his mind.” Brown’s sister later released a recorded phone call in which he said “materials in his body” were controlling him.

“The material used in my body stabbed the lady, you know that’s not me,” Brown said in the call.

Brown’s family told reporters he should never have been released, citing his mental health struggles and prior arrests.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/11/charlotte-train-killer/

You want to try to tell me again that this was a hate crime? It clearly was not.

[Hornedfrog2000]

1. I read and see so many

Schizophrenic people committing murders since working in a psych hospital. They dont mention it on the news, but you can tell. Some of them clearly dont even know what it is they have, because they instinctively hide it from other people. The voices tell them to not tell anyone.

[pansypoo53219]

2. butbutbut crazy people being free is americah!

[electric_blue68]

4. Please. Stop over generalizations even about people suffering from schizophrenia

Prevalence of Violence:
Varying Rates
: Studies show a wide range for violent behavior in people with schizophrenia, from around 5% to 20% over a 6-month period, depending on the study and definition of violence.
General Population Comparison
: While the rate is higher than in the general population, studies indicate that violence is a relatively small component of the overall violence committed by people with mental illness.

Key Risk Factors:
Substance Abuse
: The most significant factor is co-occurring substance abuse, which can increase violent behavior risk.
Psychotic Symptoms
: Positive psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, can contribute to violent behavior.
Other Factors
: Interpersonal factors and a history of previous criminality are also identified as risk factors.
Important Considerations:
Substance Abuse as the Primary Driver
: Many studies conclude that substance abuse, not psychosis itself, is the strongest predictor of violent behavior in these cases, with schizophrenia without substance abuse showing a much smaller increase in risk.
Focus on the Minority
: It is crucial to recognize that only a small percentage of individuals with schizophrenia are violent, and most are not a threat to others.
Consequences of Misinformation
Misinterpreting studies to suggest schizophrenia is inherently violent contributes to stigma and does not reflect the reality for most people with the condition.

Yes, it's unsettling, but let's not over exaggerate the percentages.