State Representative Rodney Pierce and state Senator Bobby Hanig this week weighed in on their support of House Bill 307.

Passage of the bill, called Iryna’s Law, came in response to the stabbing death of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on the evening of August 22 as she was a passenger on the Lynx Blue Line light rail in Charlotte.

The United States Department of Justice said officers with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department responded to a call for service, and callers indicated that a woman had been stabbed by a male. Responding officers located the victim inside the rail car. The victim, subsequently identified as Zarutska, had sustained fatal stab wounds. A pocketknife and other items were collected from the scene.

The Justice Department described Zarutska as a young woman living the American dream, and Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement earlier this month that her murder was a direct result “of failed soft-on-crime policies that put criminals before innocent people.”

Bondi directed her attorneys to federally prosecute DeCarlos Brown Jr., a man she described as a repeat violent offender with a history of violent crime, for murder. “We will seek the maximum penalty for this unforgivable act of violence — he will never again see the light of day as a free man.”

Pierce analysis

Pierce, who represents House District 27, said the law enacts several changes:

More crimes beyond just capital offenses are now carved out and removed from the domain of magistrate bond-setting; those charged must wait for a judge to decide whether they may be released.

If someone is already on pretrial release and then is arrested for a new offense, that new arrest triggers the restriction: Only a judge can set bond or conditions or deny release, and there may be up to a 48-hour hold.

For certain serious crimes, even if release is warranted, judges have discretion to deny bond or conditions rather than being required to set some release condition. A judge can now refuse release at all.

For new offenses under pretrial release, a judge must direct a law enforcement agency, Pretrial Services, or the district attorney to provide a criminal history and risk assessment if available. The judge will take these into account when setting conditions.

These changes do not apply retroactively for offenses committed before October 1, 2023.

Pierce statement

“I supported HB 307 because I’ve seen firsthand — far too many times in District 27 — individuals charged with violent crimes released pretrial, only to re-offend while awaiting trial. That creates a clear and immediate danger to the public, and we must take steps to prevent these tragedies before they happen.”

He said, however, “I was deeply disappointed by the dehumanizing language used by some of my Republican colleagues in reference to DeCarlos Brown. While Mr. Brown’s actions were unquestionably monstrous and heinous, he himself is not a monster — he’s a human being with a documented history of mental illness. Inflammatory rhetoric may grab headlines, but it doesn’t bring justice, nor does it address the underlying issues that led to this heartbreaking event.”

Pierce said the case highlights a deeper systemic failure: “Our state’s underfunded and overwhelmed mental health system. HB 307 may tighten pretrial release policies, but it offered no funding to strengthen our mental health infrastructure, hire more law enforcement officers, or provide proper crisis intervention training. Without those investments, we are simply expanding our jail and prison populations — and we must ensure our correctional system and local sheriff’s departments are resourced accordingly.”

The murder of Zarutska is also what pushed Pierce to formally call on the Governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate President Pro Tem to create a Rural Violent Crime Task Force. “Too often, the conversation around crime centers only on our cities, when in fact, rural communities like those I represent have the highest rates of violent crime in the state — and far fewer resources to address them. Our rural areas can’t be left behind.”

He said, “We need real solutions that balance accountability, public safety, and compassion. That means reforming our criminal justice system, properly funding our mental health services, and making sure every North Carolinian — rural or urban — feels safe in their community.”

Hanig

Hanig, a Republican representing Senate District 1, in his statement took the opportunity to use his support of the bill to criticize Congressman Don Davis.

Hanig announced earlier this month he planned to run for Davis’s First Congressional seat.

He described Iryna’s Law as a landmark measure aimed at protecting North Carolina families from violent offenders. “While I stand at the forefront of meaningful reform, Democrat Congressman Don Davis continues to remain silent as communities across the state demand real solutions to the ongoing crime crisis.”

He said, “Iryna’s Law delivers tough reforms to protect families and stop violent offenders from walking free. I voted for this bill because northeastern North Carolina families deserve leaders who will act — not stay silent. Don Davis offers empty words while I have a record of standing up for law and order.”

Hanig said his “yes” vote on the bill will end cashless bail and require secured bonds or electronic monitoring for violent and repeat offenders. 

Hanig said he has also backed provisions requiring mental health evaluations for defendants who pose a risk to themselves or others; supported reforms to restart death penalty appeals and remove judicial delays; and consistently prioritized victims and law enforcement over criminals and political special interests.

“Weeks after the tragic murder of Iryna Zarutska, Congressman Don Davis has failed to propose or support any specific reforms like those included in Iryna’s Law,” Hanig said. “While Davis has issued generic statements about ‘the need for public safety,’ he has not backed substantive action, leaving victims and families without answers or hope for change.”

Said Hanig: “North Carolinians are tired of politicians who dodge tough issues. Don Davis’s silence shows he won’t stand up when it counts. I’ve proven I will take tough votes, fight for victims, and deliver safer communities. That’s the record I’ll bring to Washington.”