Joe Rogan and Elon Musk have criticized the North Carolina judicial system for allowing a repeat offender to be released, who is now accused of murdering a Ukrainian refugee.

The billionaire entrepreneur appeared with the popular podcast host and UFC commentator on an episode of Rogan’s show late last month.

During their discussion, they focused on Magistrate Teresa Stokes, who in January released Decarlos Brown Jr., a man now facing charges for the August murder of Iryna Zarutska.

Musk expressed his disbelief by stating, “I understand that the judge has neither a law degree nor substantial legal experience. They were simply appointed as a judge.”

Rogan reacted with surprise, asking, “You mean someone can become a judge without a law degree? That’s unbelievable. Could I become a judge then?”

He then humorously considered the possibility, noting it could be an “interesting” career path, before ultimately describing the situation as “crazy.”

He added: ‘if you want to be a doctor, you have to go to medical school. I thought if you’re going to be a judge, you have to understand the law.’

The North Carolina courts system does not require magistrates to have a law degree in order to hold their positions.

Elon Musk said he believed Stokes had ‘no legal law degree or a significant legal experience that would allow them to be a judge’

Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, had only recently arrived in the US ‘seeking safety from the war and hoping for a new beginning’

Magistrates need to have a four–year college degree – not necessarily in the field of law – or eight years of work experience as a clerk of superior court, according to the state.

This booking photo provided by the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, shows Decarlos Brown Jr

A two–year associate degree with four years of work experience in a job related to the court system, law enforcement or public service is also allowed.

Musk continued: ‘[Judges] have to know what the law is and then you need to make decisions in accordance with the law.’

‘Based on the stuff that you already know,’ Rogan pitched in. ‘Because you’ve read it because you went to school for it. Not you just got appointed.’

In North Carolina, magistrates are nominated for office by the clerk of superior court, appointed by the senior resident superior court judge, and supervised by the chief district court judge.

They are not elected.

A contact number listed for Stokes by the North Carolina courts system could not be reached as of publication.

The Daily Mail reached out to the North Carolina courts system via email after–hours for comment on Rogan and Musk’s remarks.

Magistrate Teresa Stokes (pictured) freed Decarlos Brown Jr. in January – about seven months before August 22, when police say he killed Iryna Zarutska while on a train

Brown allegedly stabbed Zarutska to death at South End light rail station in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 22

In January, the magistrate judge allowed Brown – who was homeless and had a litany of previous arrests, including for armed robbery and assault – to walk free on a ‘written promise’ that he would return for his next court appearance.

He was arrested on January 19 for alleged ‘misuse of the 911 system’, after dialing the emergency number as police conducted a welfare check on him.

Brown, who is schizophrenic, told officers he thought that ‘man made’ materials were inside his body and controlling his movements.

The arrest affidavit said: ‘Brown wanted officers to investigate this ‘man–made’ material that was inside of his body.’

This apparently enraged Brown, who called 911. Officers arrested him and charged him with a misdemeanor.

Brown’s lengthy history of run–ins with the law also included assaulting his sister in 2021, leaving her with minor injuries, as well as armed robbery in 2014.

Joe Rogan reacted in shock at what Musk told him, noting that it was ‘crazy’ how judges could hold their positions without having law degrees

The heinous video of Zarutska’s murder caused widespread  questions about public safety in the US

Despite his lengthy criminal record and potentially being a flight risk, Stokes released Brown during his court hearing about the 911 call.

A document outlining the condition of his release seen by the Daily Mail showed it was authorized with only a ‘written promise to appear’ at his next court hearing.

The court memo from Mecklenburg County included Stokes’ signature and one of Brown’s mugshots.

The disturbing video of his attack on Zarutska caused widespread sadness, anger and questions about public safety in the US earlier this year.

President Donald Trump was among those who decried the decision to allow Brown to be out on the streets.

Brown allegedly stabbed Zarutska to death at South End light rail station in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 22.

The Daily Mail previously obtained video showing him nonchalantly wandering down a train platform moments after the slaughter, while commuters sprinted away.

Another camera angle from the footage obtained by the Daily Mail shows how, police tackling Brown to the ground and placing him in handcuffs five minutes after the murder.

He was arrested soon after and taken to hospital with non–life–threatening injuries. Brown was then charged with first–degree murder on his release.

Zarutska had only recently arrived in the US ‘seeking safety from the war and hoping for a new beginning’, her family said on a GoFundMe page.

Brown was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death Wednesday.

His indictment noted that he could be eligible for the death penalty.