The Charlotte, North Carolina train stabbing that left 23-year old Ukrainian national Iryna Zarutska dead is now raising questions not just about the suspect, but about the judge who let him back on the streets months earlier.

Magistrate Judge Teresa Stokes released Decarlos Brown Jr. in January on his “written promise” that he would re-appear to court for a hearing on his Class 1 misdemeanor charge that “arose after Brown became combative with police officers,” according to a letter sent by ten U.S. representatives to North Carolina Chief Judge Roy H. Wiggins. Brown — a diagnosed schizophrenic — told officers that “man-made” materials were implanted inside of him and controlling him, according to The Washington Examiner. Officers reportedly told Brown he was experiencing a medical emergency and left, with Brown calling 911 again. He was charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor for abusing the emergency line.

That decision ignored Brown’s lengthy rap sheet: Brown had previously been convicted of with armed robbery, breaking and entering, shoplifting, and felony larceny, and had been arrested 14 times. Brown’s own mother also condemned the court system for releasing her son, who she said she kicked out of her home due to his aggression, according to Newsweek.

The U.S. representatives are asking that Stokes be removed from office “for willful and persistent failure to perform the duties of the office or conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings the judicial office into disrepute.”

“Despite the history of violent and unstable behavior, Magistrate Stokes released Brown without requiring bond or imposing any meaningful conditions to safeguard the public,” the letter alleges.

“This reckless decision had devastating consequences,” the letter continued.

Part of the outrage stems from Stokes’ background. Stokes went to what Politico Magazine described as the “worst law school in America,” Cooley Law School. A cursory search does not show that Stokes passed the North Carolina bar, though one explanation could be that she was admitted to the bar through the state’s Admission on Motion program, which permits attorneys to be barred without passing the bar exam. The Board of Law Examiners of the State of North Carolina did not return a request for comment regarding whether Stokes took and/or passed the exam.

Speaking of bars, however, the bar to be a magistrate judge in general is rather low. Individuals do not need to be attorneys or attend law school. Eligibility requirements include having “eight years’ experience” as a superior court clerk or law enforcement officer, a four year-degree or a two year associate degree and four years of work experience in a related field.

Stokes “experience” appears to stem from her time in social services. Stokes is the “Co-Owner and Director at Pinnacle Recovery Services,” according to The Org. She is also the co-owner of Wing Heaven Sports Haven, which is described by The Org as a “sober sports bar.” She has past experience as a “Client Services Specialist” at the Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton and Ingham Counties as well as a past coordinator of behavior health at Child and Family Charities, according to The Org.

In other words, the judge who freed a violent, unstable offender back into the public had exactly the kind of credentials one might expect from a system where the standards are so low.

Brianna Lyman is an elections correspondent at The Federalist. Brianna graduated from Fordham University with a degree in International Political Economy. Her work has been featured on Newsmax, Fox News, Fox Business and RealClearPolitics. Follow Brianna on X: @briannalyman2