Cash Bail 'Reform' Left Blood on the Tracks in Charlotte

Sep 25, 2025
Bronson Winslow
Courts & Crime

Americans watched in horror as a career criminal brutally stabbed a young girl on the Charlotte, North Carolina light rail—all because of cashless bail.

In August, a 23-year-old woman was brutally murdered on a Charlotte light rail by a repeat offender—a tragedy that never would have happened if Democrat-sponsored cashless bail policies hadn't kept him on the streets.

Decarlos Brown Jr., a 14-time convicted career criminal, randomly stabbed Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in the neck as she peacefully sat on the train—later muttering "I got that white girl." Brown Jr., against all reason, was released on a written promise to appear in January of 2025—but even his own mother stated that "he shouldn't have been released."

House Republicans are now calling on Chief District Court Judge Roy Wiggins to remove the responsible magistrate, Judge Teresa Stokes—who was neither elected nor appointed by the president.

Magistrate judges are selected by district judges for four-to-eight-year terms.

"Judge Stokes had the chance to protect the public and chose not to. It's clear that she's unfit to hold this consequential position and should be removed from the bench immediately," said North Carolina Congressman Tim Moore (R).

(RELATED: Cash Bail Groups Threaten to Deepen Georgia's Crime Crisis)

Crime-Loving Liberals

Brown Jr. had a long list of conventions, including arson, felony possession of a firearm, robbery, assault on a female, and property damage—while also having numerous mental health issues including schizophrenia. In a sane world he would be behind bars, or at least in an institution, to protect the public.

But in recent years, the Left has waged war on any policies that they deem "harsh" on criminals—including cash bail and strict sentencing. Social justice warriors have painted cash bail as an unfair burden for those who are financially restricted, but they miss the whole point.

An individual who has committed one crime can receive a bail loan if they are unable to pay, but repeat criminals eventually fall into the position where they can no longer pay, nor receive a loan, to be freed. Cash bail doesn't disenfranchise low-income individuals, it prevents repeat offenders from being able to buy their way back onto the streets.

As "progressive" groups continue to fight bail requirements it is undeniable that we will continue to see increases in crime—especially from repeat offenders. The Left will continue to claim that lenient policies deter crime, the numbers are not in their favor.

The John Jay College of Criminal Justice's Data Collaborative for Justice reports that 66 percent of individuals released under bail reform, who had a recent prior arrest, were re-arrested within two years of their release.

In Wisconsin, Gov. Tony Evers (D) released over 2000 inmates back onto the streets to promote "reform," but the results were disastrous. Approximately 40 percent of the criminals were rearrested within two years, and at least 274 of them were convicted murderers or attempted murderers, according to Wisconsin Parole Commission data.

(RELATED: The Left Spends Millions to Return Criminals to our Streets)

Siding With Evil

Regardless of political position, it isn't hard to see the tragedy that unfolded on the Charlotte light rail—but the Left persists.

In the wake of Zarutska's murder, GoFundMe pages were created for Brown Jr. to "fight against the racism and bias against our people."

While the Left celebrated and danced in the streets following the assassination of Conservative icon Charlie Kirk, they pooled their resources to protect a vicious murderer—it truly highlights their end goal of chaos.

"While what happened on the Blue Line was a tragedy, what we mustn't lose sight of is the fact that Decarlos Brown Jr. was failed categorically by the judicial system and the mental health services of North Carolina, and as such is not entirely to blame for what happened," one page claimed.

Another GoFundMe was created by Rev. Ray Cistman, who claims to be an anti-racist and anti-white activist—a bit of a contradiction. He also is the author of a book titled "George Floyd: Modern MLK."

Sensible Laws

Reform is always possible—but it must protect the American people, not put them at risk. In recent years, cash bail reform has repeatedly proven dangerous and counterproductive. 

The brutal murder of Iryna Zarutska is a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of releasing violent criminals. Without strict laws, our cities risk descending into chaos, like Atlanta, Chicago, and New York.

Americans must stand against cashless bail and hold the lawmakers who push these reckless policies fully accountable.

(READ MORE: Silicon Valley Giants Bankroll Wisconsin's Crime Wave)

Bronson Winslow is an Investigative Researcher for Restoration News specializing in gun rights and criminal justice policy. He graduated from Virginia Military Institute and previously wrote for the Daily Caller. He publishes regularly at American Greatness. 

Email Bronson HERE

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