Living in Charlotte, NC, the tragedy surrounding the case of DeCarlos Brown Jr. hits incredibly close to home. It is not just the streets where Iryna Zarutska tragically lost her life that resonate with me, but the parallel life of my daughter, who shares Iryna's age. The fear of losing her to a similar fate is unbearable and catalyzes my need for justice and safety in our community.

Judge Teresa Stokes, who presided over the case involving DeCarlos Brown Jr., exhibited significant negligence. Her decisions have not only threatened our community's safety but also undermine the expectation for impartiality and rigor in judicial proceedings. Instead of adhering to the crime’s severity and the risk posed to society, judicial empathy seems to have clouded her judgment, compromising the very safety that our justice system vows to safeguard.

In cases documented by the Charlotte Observer, numerous instances highlight Judge Stokes's lenient approach that has jeopardized public safety. In this recent tragedy, her decision allowed a dangerous individual back onto the streets, resulting in an irreversible loss of life.

The courtroom is no place for misplaced empathy that puts the public in jeopardy. Our city's peace should never be compromised by judicial negligence. It’s imperative that we hold our judicial system accountable to ensure strict adherence to the law, to prevent such incidents from recurring.

Demand the removal of Magistrate Judge Teresa Stokes to restore confidence in our local justice system and to prioritize the safety of our family, friends, and community in Charlotte, NC. Sign this petition to make it clear that lax oversight and negligent judicial decisions won't be tolerated. Help protect our loved ones from the consequences of judicial negligence.