The Federal Charge in the Brutal Charlotte Murder May Not Survive

The Justice Department has filed a charge against Decarlos Brown Jr., the suspect in the brutal murder of Iryna Zarutska in a Charlotte train car. I hope the FBI and DOJ can make the case, but it seems very uphill — in terms of both federal jurisdiction and whether the penal provision cited truly applies.

In marked contrast, a state murder charge would be straightforward, and a conviction would be virtually certain. And to be clear, the federal charge, even if it fails, does not preclude a state murder prosecution.

About the Author

Andrew C. McCarthy

Andrew C. McCarthy is a senior fellow at National Review Institute, an NR contributing editor, and author of Ball of Collusion: The Plot to Rig an Election and Destroy a Presidency.

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Department of Justice

The Justice Department has filed a charge against Decarlos Brown Jr., the suspect in the brutal murder of Iryna Zarutska in a Charlotte train car. I hope the FBI and DOJ can make the case, but it seems very uphill — in terms of both federal jurisdiction and whether the penal provision cited truly applies.

In marked contrast, a state murder charge would be straightforward, and a conviction would be virtually certain. And to be clear, the federal charge, even if it fails, does not preclude a state murder prosecution.

About the Author

Andrew C. McCarthy

Andrew C. McCarthy is a senior fellow at National Review Institute, an NR contributing editor, and author of Ball of Collusion: The Plot to Rig an Election and Destroy a Presidency.