Republican members of North Carolina’s congressional delegation are calling for the removal of Magistrate Judge Teresa Stokes, who released Decarlos Brown earlier this year on a written promise to appear in court. Brown is now accused of fatally stabbing 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte train in August 2022. The lawmakers argue that Stokes failed in her judicial responsibility by releasing a repeat offender with a serious criminal record.

All 10 GOP House members from North Carolina signed a letter urging formal removal proceedings against Judge Stokes. They criticized her for disregarding Brown’s lengthy criminal history, which includes at least 14 prior arrests for offenses such as firearm possession by a felon, armed robbery, and assault. They believe her decision directly endangered public safety and contributed to Zarutska’s death.

At the time of his release, Brown had been arrested for making bizarre 911 calls about “man-made” materials in his body. Though considered mentally ill and homeless, he was only charged with a misdemeanor and let go without bond. This case has since become part of a larger debate about leniency in urban criminal justice systems, especially concerning public transportation and repeat offenders.

Republicans emphasized that this tragedy reflects a broader failure in the justice system. They accused Judge Stokes of acting irresponsibly and demanded a review of her past bond decisions to identify possible patterns of misconduct. The letter, led by Rep. Tim Moore, stated that her actions had eroded public trust and resulted in avoidable harm.

In response to the killing, the Justice Department and FBI announced federal charges against Brown, who is already facing first-degree murder charges in state court. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi pledged to seek the maximum penalty to ensure Brown is never released again.

The FBI described the murder as a “disgraceful act” and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring justice and community safety.