Charlotte Light Rail Murder: Ukrainian Refugee Killed by Criminal Judge Released Without Bail

A brief statement on the tragic shooting of Charlie Kirk before today's planned episode.

The horrific murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte's light rail exposes a deadly flaw in America's justice system. Host John O'Connor reveals how Magistrate Judge Teresa Stokes - who doesn't even have a law degree - released career criminal Decarlos Brown Jr. based solely on his "promise" to appear in court. Brown had 14 prior arrests, including armed robbery and assault, yet walked free to stab an innocent 23-year-old woman to death just months later.

This episode uncovers the shocking truth that 32 states allow unqualified judges to make life-or-death decisions without legal training. From North Carolina's 40-hour "training" program to South Carolina's 12-minute online competency test, O'Connor exposes how our justice system prioritizes criminals over victims.

President Trump called the murder "horrible" and said Democrats have "blood on their hands" for refusing to lock up dangerous criminals. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced federal charges seeking the maximum penalty. Congressional Republicans are demanding Judge Stokes' removal while Charlotte Democrats make excuses.

Having personally ridden the same Charlotte light rail line just weeks before the murder, O'Connor delivers a powerful firsthand account of the unsafe conditions and failed policies that led to this preventable tragedy. A must-listen exposé of judicial incompetence, political accountability, and the fight for justice reform.

Sources:
https://www.newsweek.com/teresa-stokes-charlotte-judge-decarlos-brown-jr-2126808
https://www.foxnews.com/us/ukrainian-woman-who-fled-war-stabbed-death-charlotte-light-rail-station
https://www.columbialawreview.org/content/judging-without-a-j-d/
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/justice/3797645/judge-who-released-charlotte-light-rail-killer-has-history-of-addiction-activism/
https://www.npr.org/2019/12/02/784225337/south-carolina-magistrate-judges-dont-need-law-degrees-to-handle-lower-level-cas
https://www.foxnews.com/us/kash-patel-fbi-hit-train-stabbing-suspect-federal-charge-commuters-on-camera-attack
https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/lawmakers-magistrate-judge-teresa-stokes-removal-charlotte-light-rail-stabbing/275-9a123606-6bed-4a11-ba5d-9c31b56b65f7
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/09/magistrate-judge-teresa-stokes-released-career-criminal-decarlos/
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/23-year-old-ukrainian-refugee-killed-north-carolina-transit-system-rcna229817
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-says-democrats-have-blood-hands-after-deadly-charlotte-train-stabbing
https://www.sog.unc.edu/resources/microsites/nc-magistrates
https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/09/us/charlotte-train-stabbing-ukrainian-victim
https://www.foxnews.com/us/charlotte-mayor-slammed-over-comments-after-woman-stabbed-death-train
https://www.wbtv.com/2025/09/05/light-rail-stabbing-graphic-video-shows-moments-before-after-woman-killed-charlotte/
https://www.foxnews.com/us/chilling-video-shows-moments-before-ukrainian-refugee-stabbed-death-charlotte-light-rail
https://www.foxnews.com/us/gofundme-pulls-fundraisers-felon-accused-killing-commuter-random-charlotte-train-attack
https://www.foxnews.com/us/who-iryna-zarutska-ukrainian-refugee-killed-charlotte-train-attack