RALEIGH, N.C. — Republican leaders at the North Carolina Capitol announced new legislation Thursday in response to the killing of Iryna Zarutska on the Charlotte light rail , with plans to unveil the bill package later this month.

The proposed legislation could potentially include restarting the death penalty and ending cashless bail, according to Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Destin Hall.

They were joined by Michael Whatley , who recently left his post as RNC Chairman to run for North Carolina's open Senate seat against former Gov. Roy Cooper. Whatley's comments criticized Democratic leaders' "soft-on crime" policies.

"What has transpired over these days and weeks is becoming a clear attack on our next generation," Whatley said. "One high-profile victim, and one making he

See Full Page