CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — U.S. House of Representatives visited North Carolina’s largest city on Monday and heard from the families of victims of violent crimes. Last month’s stab wound A Ukrainian refugee boarded a Charlotte commuter train.
To hear the stories of many speakers who described the North and South Carolina district court systems, a Judicial Subcommittee meeting was convened in Charlotte to say they were protecting the public and putting the accused in prison while awaiting trial.
The meeting was prompted by the stinging death of August 22nd Iryna Zarutska There was concern about the light rail car and the suspects who were previously arrested dozens of times.
“The same system that failed Mary has failed Irina. Our hearts are broken for our family and her friends, and we will grieve with them,” Mia Alderman, grandmother of Mary Santina Collins of Charlotte, the grandmother of the 2020 murder victim, told panelists. The mayor said the accused in the granddaughter case had not yet been tested. “We need accountability. We need reform. We need to ensure that those accused of violent crimes are prosecuted quickly.”
The magistrate had allowed defendants on commuter trains; DeCarlos Brown Jr., He was released in January on a misdemeanor and on a written promise to appear without a bond. Currently, Brown is charged with both first-degree murder in state court; Federal government count In connection with Salzka’s death. Both crimes could be punished by the death penalty.
The release of security videos showing the attacks has intensified public outrage, leading to accusations from Republicans to President Donald Trump, and policies by Charlotte and statewide Democratic leaders focus on helping criminals more than victims. Members of the Democratic committee argued that Republicans either cut crime control funds or were unable to fund more district attorneys and mental health services.
“The hearing for me is not really about public safety,” says Alma Adams, a Democrat who represents most of Charlotte. “It’s what my colleagues are trying to portray Democrats softly in crime — and we’re not — and perhaps we’re engaged in political theatres to win some headlines.”
Dena King, a former US lawyer for western North Carolina during the Joe Biden administration, testified that Mecklenburg County, including Charlotte, needed dozens of prosecutors to cover 1.2 million counties. And crime statisticians said that homicide rates and violent crime rates have declined nationwide in Charlotte after the increase in the early 2020s.
Republicans denounced members of the Democrats, saying that additional funding did not prevent Zaltoska from passing away. And they tried to question the crime figures as misleading.
“This is not political time. It is not a time of any race. It is not a time of any party. It is not a time of justice,” South Carolina GOP MP Ralph Norman, representing some Charlotte suburbs. He spoke while holding a poster of a screenshot of a video showing Zarutska and her attacker. Adams protested Norman’s use of placards.
Republicans managed in response to Zaltoska’s death The North Carolina Legislature approved the criminal justice package last week It would ban cashless bail in many circumstances, and attempt to ensure that discretionary judges and judges make pretrial release decisions and more defendants receive a mental health assessment. The bill is currently on the desk of Democrat Gov. Josh Stein for his consideration.
Republicans on the committee also cited the need for a more restrictive bail policy for magistrates and active prosecutors willing to stop accusing them of violent crimes.
Another speaker outside of Charlotte, Steve Federico demanded justice from his 22-year-old daughter, Logan, who was shot dead while visiting a friend at his home in Columbia, South Carolina in May. The suspect indicted for her murder had faced almost 40 charges within the past decade. WIS-TV reported.
“I’m not going to be quiet until someone helps me. Logan deserves to hear,” Steve Federico told the representative. “Everyone on this panel deserves to hear, and we – trust me.”
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Robertson reported from Raleigh, North Carolina.
