Iryna Zarutska’s Killer Faces Death Penalty

The career criminal accused of fatally stabbing Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on the Charlotte light rail system was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury on charges that could land him the death penalty.

Accused killer Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, was charged with violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death, according to the indictment handed up in the Western District of North Carolina.

The federal charges make Brown – who, according to the indictment, acted with “reckless disregard for human life” – eligible for the death penalty.

The charges make him eligible for the death penalty.

Brown was allegedly caught in a harrowing video surveillance stabbing Zarutska, 23, to death on the evening of Aug. 22 on the Lynx Blue Line light rail in Charlotte.

Video captured Zarutska busying herself with her phone as Brown, wearing a red sweatshirt, unfolded a pocketknife before allegedly stabbing her.

Cops found Zarutska in a pool of blood in the back of the train car with a stab wound to her neck and a cut to her knee, according to Brown’s criminal complaint.

Brown was arrested at the scene and authorities recovered a pocketknife covered in the beloved Ukrainian refugee’s blood.

The alleged killer was already federally indicted in September on one count of committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system.

He also faces a state charge of first-degree murder.

Brown was arrested at least 14 times in North Carolina for crimes ranging from assault and firearms possession to felony robbery and larceny, dating back to 2007.

Brown’s mother told The Post her son was homeless and suffered from schizophrenia, adding he was convinced someone was “removing the chip from his brain” that had been controlling his actions and believed he’d be out soon after he was arrested for the fatal stabbing.

Last month, President Trump called for the death penalty in the case.

“The ANIMAL who so violently killed the beautiful young lady from Ukraine, who came to America searching for peace and safety, should be given a ‘Quick’ (there is no doubt!) Trial, and only awarded THE DEATH PENALTY,” the president declared on Truth Social.

The North Carolina General Assembly passed “Iryna’s Law” this month, aiming to axe cashless bail and expedite death penalty cases in the state.

The bill was signed into law by the North Carolina Governor. Josh Stein on Oct. 3.

The law to honor Zarutska – who fled war-torn Ukraine in 2022 – included an amendment that could allow North Carolina to resume capital punishment, including by firing squad.

Lethal injection is currently the only authorized method of execution in the state.