CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The man accused of killing 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on the Charlotte Area Transit System light rail on Aug. 22 appeared in federal court for the first time on Thursday.

Decarlos Brown was indicted by a federal grand jury in October, charged with violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death.

Brown's hearing on Thursday was very short; the U.S. said it wanted to keep him behind bars for community safety, and considered Brown a flight risk. Brown's attorney didn't issue a rebuttal, as Brown is already behind bars.

The federal indictment includes special findings that make Brown eligible for the death penalty. Prosecutors allege Brown intentionally killed Zarutska and acted with "reckless disregard for huma

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