(NewsNation) — North Carolina lawmakers are calling for the removal of a judge who released a man accused of fatally attacking 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte light rail train, even though the suspect had a long criminal record and a history of mental illness.

One of the lawmakers, Republican Rep. Tim Moore, called the killing in his home state "preventable,” on X. "There must be accountability. North Carolinians deserve better," he added.

Moore is joined by 10 House Republicans from the state who signed a letter requesting formal proceedings to remove Magistrate Judge Teresa Stokes.

The lawmakers said Stokes' “reckless” decision to release Decarlos Brown Jr. accounted for “willful and persistent failure” to perform her duties.

Iryna Zarutska fatally stabbed

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