North Carolina signs Irina's Law after Ukrainian refugee's murder
Illustrative photo: Zarutska's murder has sparked outrage across the United States (Getty Images)
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has signed "Irina's Law," a bill named after Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, who was killed by a repeat offender, reports Fox News.
The law tightens background checks on offenders before they can be released on bail. It also bans cashless bail for a number of violent crimes and for repeat offenders.
It further limits the authority of magistrates and judges to grant pretrial release. Defendants will have to undergo a mental health evaluation before being allowed out on bail.
"(This law -ed.) alerts the judiciary to take a special look at people who may pose unusual risks of violence before determining their bail. That's a good thing...We can and must do more to keep people safe," said Stein, a Democrat.
He added that "Irina's Law" urges courts to pay closer attention to individuals who could present an "unusual" risk of violence before making bail decisions.
Republicans have already endorsed the measure, saying it will help make streets safer and expressing hope that other states will follow North Carolina's example.
What is known about the murder of Iryna Zarutska
Zarutska, 23, fled to the United States after the war began. She was killed on August 22 at the South End tram station in Charlotte, North Carolina. Police arrested her killer, 34-year-old Deсarlos Brown, who had been detained at least ten times before.
US President Donald Trump reacted to the killing, calling the American man who stabbed Zarutska a "madman." He vowed to take tough action and introduce terrible measures.
The motive remains unclear. Zarutska and her attacker had never met, and Brown reportedly suffered from mental health problems. He is now charged with murder on a mass transit facility, an offense that could carry the death penalty.
