CNN’s NewsNight turned into a fiery clash Tuesday over how America should handle violent offenders with severe mental illness, following the shocking murder of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte last month.
Host Abby Phillip opened the debate by asking where “seriously mentally ill” people who show signs of being dangerous should be placed if not on the streets. National Review writer Caroline Downey immediately argued the system had failed by ignoring clear warning signs in the case of suspect Decarlos Brown, who had been arrested more than a dozen times over the past 12 years.
“Actually, the police said we’re going to refer you to more resources and that went nowhere,” Downey said, pointing to Brown’s long rap sheet.
The suspect, who allegedly stabbed Zarutska to death, had previously served time in prison for violent offenses. His release — despite repeated arrests and a documented history of schizophrenia — has left many questioning why he wasn’t confined to a long-term facility.
Downey argued Brown’s combination of violent history and mental illness made him a “menace to society” who should have been “locked away for life.” When pressed by Phillip, she bluntly pointed to “schizophrenia” as the reason — a remark that triggered immediate pushback from other panelists.
“I can’t believe you actually said that somebody should be locked away in jail forever for schizophrenia,” said former Clinton aide Keith Boykin.
Downey clarified that she wasn’t advocating prison, but lifelong institutionalization. “He should be institutionalized, yes,” she insisted. “And if you’re saying he should not, you’re saying that young women like you and me are basically lambs into the slaughter.”
Democratic congressional hopeful Kat Abughazaleh and commentator Ana Navarro both blasted Downey’s framing, arguing that schizophrenia alone should not justify permanent confinement. Still, Downey doubled down, warning that without stricter institutionalization, tragedies like Zarutska’s murder will continue.
Phillip ultimately cut the segment short, admitting there was “no way the panel could fully unpack” such a heated and complicated issue in the time left.