A North Carolina courtroom witnessed a dramatic scene on Tuesday when Decarlos Brown Jr., the man accused of fatally stabbing a young Ukrainian refugee on a commuter train, erupted during a court session. His outburst occurred just as a federal judge declared him mentally unfit to stand trial.

During the hearing in Charlotte, the 35-year-old defendant persistently interrupted the proceedings. He demanded to know if the judge had reviewed his mental health evaluation and voiced his intentions to file charges against the FBI.

As court officers moved to remove him from the courtroom, Brown continued to shout, making cryptic references to having ‘material in his body’ and questioning whether the judge had received correspondence from his mother.

This courtroom disruption unfolded as the judge ruled on Brown’s mental incompetence, a decision stemming from the killing of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska. Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, was tragically killed last year, a crime that sent shockwaves through the Charlotte community.

Brown faces federal charges for causing death on a mass transportation system, a serious offense that carries the possibility of the death penalty.

He also faces a separate state charge of first-degree murder, although that case has been paused while federal proceedings move forward.

US District Judge Kenneth D. Bell ordered Brown committed to a federal medical facility for treatment after mental health experts concluded he is presently unable to understand the legal proceedings against him or properly assist in his own defense.

According to court filings, Brown has repeatedly claimed he is suffering from what he calls a ‘body emergency’ and believes someone has gained control of his body through technology that authorities refuse to investigate.

 Brown is accused of fatally stabbing 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska aboard a Charlotte commuter train in August 2025

Decarlos Brown Jr., 35, erupted in court Tuesday as a federal judge ruled he is currently not competent to stand trial

Surveillance footage showed Brown allegedly swinging a switchblade at Zarutska and slashing her throat as she sat on the train in Charlotte, North Carolina last August

Defense attorneys told the court that Brown wanted the judge to hear a statement alleging that ‘someone has full access to my body and they are controlling me wrongfully’ and that he had been wrongly diagnosed with schizophrenia.

A forensic mental health evaluation conducted by federal examiners concluded that Brown ‘is presently not competent to stand trial,’ according to the judge’s order.

However, experts also determined that his condition could potentially improve with treatment.

The court found Brown’s prognosis for restoration of competency was favorable if he receives appropriate medication and medical care.

As a result, Bell ordered Brown transferred into the custody of the US attorney general for hospitalization and treatment for up to four months while doctors attempt to restore his competency.

After that period, the court will reassess whether Brown is capable of standing trial, whether additional treatment is necessary, or whether competency cannot be restored.

Outside the courthouse, US Attorney Russ Ferguson said the ruling was an important step in the legal process.

‘The court found that his prognosis is ‘good’ to be made competent and set a four-month deadline to have that process go forward,’ Ferguson told reporters.

Zarutska’s throat was slashed as she sat by herself on a train in a shocking killing that was caught on surveillance footage and stunned the nation

Zarutska, who fled Ukraine after Russia’s invasion, was returning home from work at a pizza restaurant when she was allegedly attacked on the train

‘The court ordered that he seek treatment and medication,’ Ferguson added, noting that Brown will remain in federal custody while undergoing treatment.

Ferguson said prosecutors remain focused on obtaining justice for Zarutska and her family.

‘Our number one goal here is justice for Iryna Zarutska and Iryna Zarutska’s family,’ he said. ‘That’s what’s on the top of our minds and our hearts every day, and this is a step in that process.’

Asked about Brown’s courtroom behavior, Ferguson said it was difficult to determine exactly what the defendant was attempting to communicate.

‘It wasn’t entirely clear what he was yelling out,’ Ferguson said. ‘We’ve seen since the beginning of this case, he says there’s some sort of material that controls him and I think it was related to that. And that plays a little bit of a role in why he was found not competent to stand trial.’

Authorities say Zarutska was riding the train, returning home from her job at a pizza restaurant, when a crazed attacker snuck up on her from behind and stabbed her to death on August 22, 2025.

Footage of the attack on Zarutska showed the refugee sitting by herself looking down at her phone as Brown boarded the train and sat behind her. 

Moments later, Brown appeared to unfurl a switchblade before standing up and looming over the refugee. 

Iryna Zarutska’s heartbroken family said that she had only recently arrived in the US ‘seeking safety from the war and hoping for a new beginning’ before the random slaughter

DeCarlos Brown Jr, 35, a North Carolina homeless man stands accused of the murder but a psychiatric evaluation has found him ‘incapable to proceed’ to trial on his state charges

The refugee who fled her war-torn home in 2022 bled to death with fear in her eyes as onlookers did nothing to intervene. 

Prosecutors identified the cold-blooded culprit as Brown Jr. who blamed his violent actions on a schizophrenic episode. 

Zarutska, who had escaped war-torn Ukraine after Russia’s invasion and resettled in the United States, died from her injuries shortly afterward.

Brown was arrested soon after the attack and has remained in custody ever since.

He was previously found incompetent to stand trial in the parallel state murder case, while a separate evaluation conducted by the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Prisons also concluded that he was not competent to face the federal charges.

Questions over Brown’s mental state come after the Daily Mail exclusively revealed Brown’s first-ever jailhouse calls after allegedly murdering Zarutska, in which he spoke of ‘materials in my brain’ which he claimed forced him to stab her. 

Zarutska’s killing drew widespread attention because the young refugee had escaped the conflict in Ukraine only to be fatally attacked while commuting home in North Carolina

Brown had dozens of prior arrests before Zarutska’s murder and had been freed by North Carolina Magistrate Judge Teresa Stokes just seven months before he allegedly stabbed the refugee.

The killing sparked calls for tougher sentencing for repeat offenders after it emerged that Brown, whose prior arrests included armed robbery and assault, was freed on a ‘written promise’ that he would return for his next court appearance.

In her obituary, Zarutska’s family said that before starting her new life in the US, Iryna graduated from Synergy College in Kyiv with a degree in Art and Restoration. 

She was described as an adventurous young woman who adored animals and traveling. 

‘She shared her creativity generously, gifting family and friends with her artwork,’ they said. 

In collaboration with the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, The Post is highlighting stories from U.S. citizens about their visions of the American Dream as we approach 2026. Among these voices is Earvin “Magic” Johnson, the legendary basketball player and influential entrepreneur. A top draft pick for the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979, Johnson boasts an illustrious career with five NBA championships and 12 All-Star appearances. Beyond the court, he has become a successful businessman and a prominent advocate for HIV and AIDS awareness.

To me, the American Dream is about ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy its benefits.

I’m deeply aware of the challenges faced by those living in inner cities and urban areas across America who feel left behind, regardless of their race or background.

Growing up in poverty, I understood early on the power of education and hard work. Recognizing my talent in basketball, I dedicated myself to perfecting my skills, which opened doors to new opportunities.

My parents instilled in me the values that shaped who I am today. Like my father, I’m driven by a strong work ethic; he tirelessly worked two jobs to provide for our family of six sisters and three brothers. From my mother, I inherited a passion for helping others and making the world a better place.

I excelled at basketball, but also, I was smart enough to really be concerned with my education. And, last but not least, to meet people. I wasn’t afraid of going up to those who were really successful and asking them to be a mentor or to give me advice on achieving the American dream.

I rolled my sleeves up and I went to work. And I worked very, very hard. And that, to me, is what the American dream is all about. It is educating yourself to get a good job. And then, also, blessing not only your own family but other people. 

Giving back is at the top of my list of things to do every single year: 125 kids on scholarship. [The Magic Johnson Foundation has] built 18 technology centers around the country. I built housing and hospitals in Africa through different organizations and also gave medicine to care for those who were living with HIV and AIDS. We’ve given over $10 million to different HIV and AIDS organizations throughout America.

That’s the American dream to me: helping others besides yourself.

The American Dream Video Project showcases real stories that illuminate pathways to opportunity. Featured at the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD), this series is part of the Center’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. MCAAD is Washington, DC’s newest cultural institution, offering interactive exhibits and stories about achieving the American Dream. For more information, visit mcaad.org.