North Carolina legislation train stabbing death penalty.

Rep. Tricia Cotham, R-Mecklenburg, center, holds a "Justice for Iryna" notebook before she introduces a bill in response to the murder of Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska during a North Carolina legislative session, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

North Carolina legislature passes ‘Iryna’s Law’ after refugee’s stabbing death

The North Carolina legislature has approved a criminal justice package in response to the stabbing death of a Ukrainian refugee on Charlotte’s light rail. The package finalized Tuesday with a House vote limits bail and aims to ensure more defendants undergo mental health evaluations. The measure already passed the Senate and now goes to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein. His office said the measure is being reviewed. The bill also includes provisions that aim to help restart executions in the state. Public outrage over the death of Iryna Zarutska intensified with the release of security video showing the attack on the commuter train.

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