Outburst in court as federal judge finds Decarlos Brown not fit for trial in fatal NC light rail stabbing

CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Decarlos Brown Jr. has been found incompetent to stand trial in court, U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson confirmed with Queen City News.

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The decision came Tuesday morning during a hearing at the federal courthouse in Charlotte. The hearing lasted no more than 15 minutes.

Queen City News was inside the courtroom as the judge addressed the case, saying, “[I] hope that what happens here will be accurately recorded by professional press and social media.”

Brown had been evaluated at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago through the Bureau of Prisons. Mental health evaluators reportedly spent hours meeting with Brown in person and reviewed audio and video recordings of him before making their recommendation.

Prosecutors, including the Assistant U.S. Attorney, presented no additional evidence in court.

Outburst inside the courtroom

During Tuesday’s hearing, Brown had an outburst. He shouted that he wants to ask the judge whether he reviewed the evaluation and said he wants to press charges against the FBI. He continued with more inaudible shouts, including something about having ‘material in his body.’

As he was escorted out of the courtroom, Brown shouted more at the judge, including something about whether the judge had received a specific letter from his mother.

The judge ruled Brown will not be released. Instead, he will receive medication and treatment for up to four months in an effort to restore his competency. The court could later hold a separate hearing to determine whether forced medication is constitutional if necessary.

If Brown does not become competent, he could remain in custody under possible civil commitment.

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Federal and state charges

Brown, 34, is facing federal and state charges in the August 2025 stabbing death of Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte’s Blue Line light rail, a case that drew national attention.

Mental health evaluators previously determined Brown suffers from a serious mental illness that prevents him from understanding the case and assisting in his defense.

Queen City News Chief Legal Analyst Khalif Rhodes explained what typically happens in situations like this.

“Where do you go after they determine you can’t stand trial? You can go and try to be rehabilitated,” said Rhodes. “It’s rare that a court would reject a report from a forensic evaluator.”

Rhodes said defendants in similar cases are often treated at a state psychiatric facility for an extended period.

“They’ll stay there for an extended period of time,” said Rhodes. “I’ve had individuals in the past that have been there for six months. I’ve had folks that are still there for a number of years. And then at some point there will be another evaluation.”

If doctors later determine Brown is competent, the charges could move forward again. Until then, the case would have to be dismissed by statute and later reinstated if competency is restored.

“It’s not like it’s a pause or a hold date,” said Rhodes. “The case will have to be dismissed by statute, so they’ll be waiting for him to get notification from the doctor and then the DA’s office will get notification and then they’ll reinstate.”

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