Tune in here to this ​Thursday's edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen!

Breaking Brett Jensen kicks the show off by discussing two unusual but significant North Carolina Supreme Court cases—one involving chickens in a Waxhaw neighborhood and the other concerning Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS). 

In one case, a family argues their chickens are household pets, protected under HOA rules. The HOA disagrees, claiming the number of chickens exceeds what could reasonably be considered pets. The debate centers on how courts should interpret the ambiguous term “household pet,” with justices questioning whether such definitions should be left to juries or clarified by law. The case raises broader concerns about property rights and the power of homeowners associations.

And in another case, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) is facing a lawsuit at the North Carolina State Supreme Court over its refusal to contribute to the 401(k) retirement plans of its school police officers. CMS is the only school district in the state that does not pay the required 5% into these retirement accounts, even as it continues to request millions more in funding each year from county commissioners. The CMS legal team faced tough questioning from justices, who challenged their interpretation of the law and lack of clarity on funding responsibilities.

Also, Brett touches on the Carolina Panthers’ strategy heading into the NFL Draft with veteran beat writer Joe Person of The Athletic. Person expects the Panthers to focus on defense, predicting they may select Georgia linebacker Jalen Walker in the first round. Despite questions about Walker’s size as an edge rusher, the Panthers reportedly value his football instincts and versatility. Person also believes the team will likely target additional defensive positions, such as safety, in rounds two and three, given the current lack of depth on the roster.

Finally, Jensen dives into Dylann Roof, the convicted Charleston church shooter, has filed an appeal seeking to have his death sentence overturned. Roof's legal team argues that there were significant errors during his trial that impacted his sentencing. They claim that Roof's mental health was not adequately considered, and they assert that his constitutional rights were violated in various ways.

Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen.

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