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Mother's Plea: Wrongfully Accused Stabber's Mental State?
20 Aug
Summary
- Accused stabber DeCarlos Brown ruled mentally incompetent for defense.
- His mother believes he's a victim of a failed mental health system.
- Two families are broken by the stabbing death of Iryna Zarutska.
DeCarlos Brown, accused in the August 22, 2025, stabbing death of Iryna Zarutska at a Charlotte light rail station, is now considered mentally incompetent by state and federal courts. His mother, Michelle DeWitt, believes Brown is an example of a failed system, stating he began showing subtle signs of mental illness about four to five years prior. These symptoms worsened, leading to his refusal of medication and eventual homelessness.
DeWitt expressed her shock and disbelief following her son's arrest, emphasizing her belief that he was the wrong person and that he didn't know what happened that day. Brown's criminal record, including charges from 13 years ago, predates his apparent mental health decline. Most recently, he was arrested in January for misusing the 911 system, claiming he was being controlled, a delusion echoed after Zarutska's killing.
She views mental illness with the same urgency as cancer, advocating for greater emphasis. DeWitt shared her daily thoughts of the Zarutska family's pain, extending prayers and acknowledging the shared hurt of two broken families. Brown is currently receiving treatment, with the hope he might one day regain competency to face his alleged crime.
