Phillip Vance Smith II wrote a moving piece in response to the legislation passed by the GOP-controlled House of Representatives in North Carolina. He explains:
In response to the killing, GOP lawmakers — who hold a majority in the state’s legislature — passed NC House Bill 307, titled “Iryna’s Law,” with help from a few democratic lawmakers. Governor Josh Stein, a democrat, signed the bill into law on October 3 with misgivings. In a three-minute video, Governor Stein admitted that he only agreed with the sections of the law that offered a direct response to the tragedy that inspired it:
- The elimination of written promises to appear in court as a pre-trial release option
- The limitation of pre-trial release options for people charged with violent offenses, including burglary, forcing them to post secured bonds and remain on house arrest under electronic monitoring
- Requiring judges and magistrates to order evaluations for involuntary confinement if a person is considered a threat because of mental illness, while allowing the Chief Justice of the NC Supreme Court to punish magistrates who don’t follow the rule
Based on my lived experience, none of the above provisions would’ve saved Zarutska, because they don’t address the root problems. Iryna’s Law doesn’t create a state-funded mental hospital, provide guidance for how long involuntarily committed people will get treatment or medication after release from a mental hospital (and they will eventually be released), and it only ensures temporary confinement.
As I write about these issues, I must admit that I feel apprehensive. Because I have hurt someone and been convicted of murder, many in society will disregard my point of view. For them, I represent the problem. In spite of my past, I’m not insensitive to the harm experienced by victims or their families. It is only because I harmed someone that I understand exactly what’s at stake. Life is a precious gift, and I feel compelled to write about ways to preserve it because of my past actions. What happened to Iryna Zarutska was a preventable tragedy, but I disagree with how lawmakers addressed it. My opinion is born from what I have seen in prison. I hope those who oppose my right to freedom of speech at least value what I have to write, because if I don’t write it, who will?