RALEIGH, N.C. (WITN) - North Carolina Senate Republicans approved a measure Monday in honor of Iryana Zarutska, the Ukranian refugee stabbed to death on a Charlotte light rail last month, that would revive the death penalty.

House Bill 307 is called Iryana’s Law.

Republicans say it makes several changes to remove roadblocks that have prevented the death penalty from being carried out in North Carolina.

Under the proposal, instead of letting death penalty appeals sit indefinitely, they must now be heard within two years of filing, and continuances will not be granted unless the judge finds extenuating circumstances.

The bill would establish lethal injection as the default method of execution in the state, with the Department of Adult Correction ordered to adopt alternative methods.

Sen

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