CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein signed a sweeping criminal justice reform bill dubbed "Iryna's Law" into law on Friday, Stein's office announced. The legislation will end cashless bail for certain violent offenders and expedite death penalty appeals.

Lawmakers pushed the bill in response to the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte's light rail in August. Republican leaders in the General Assembly also raised concerns about institutional control in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County due to violent crime.

"My top priority is to keep people safe," Stein said. "Here in North Carolina, we've recently had two tragic reminders of just how important it is that we do everything in our power to protect people. Our hearts ache for the families of Iryna Zartuska a

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