Witnesses testify in day 2 of Rick Chow trial

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Thursday marked day two of the trial for Columbia store owner Rick Chow — accused of killing 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton in 2023.

Multiple witnesses testified before the jury — including a local firefighter, a crime scene investigator, and one man who says he saw the shooting take place.

That man’s name is Devontae Bryant — seen driving by the convenience store on Parklane Road in security footage. Bryant saying he witnessed Carmack-Belton being chased by Rick and Andy Chow — at first mistaking Chow for a police officer, saying he could see Chow’s gun holster as the Chows chased after Carmack-Belton.

Bryant was examined by prosecutors and Chow’s defense team– including Attorney Shaun Kent.

“He tried to get straight up, but he could never get to this point. He’s still stumbling…” says Bryant.  “And then after he was shot?” asks Kent. “He fell. He fell completely again,” says Bryant.

Called to the scene after the shooting was Fire Captain Greg Walker with the Columbia-Richland Fire Department, then questioned by Assistant Solicitor Weston Liefer.

“Did anybody say that the victim, Cyrus had pointed a gun?” asks Liefer. “No,” answers Walker.

Defense Attorney Joe McCullough questioned Richland County Sheriff’s Department Investigator Michael Dooley, Jr., who says he examined Carmack-Belton’s autopsy.

“Did you find any money or wallet, credit cards, inside his clothes?” asks McCullough. “I did not,” says Dooley.

Defense attorneys later stated they believed that no money on the victim implied he may have had intention of shoplifting. Jurors were also shown a photo of Carmack-Belton’s shoe that he lost why running away from the Chows, say attorneys.

Other witnesses testified until after 6 p.m.  Defense attorneys also showing a photo Carmack-Belton had posted on social media of him holding a gun.

The trial will likely last several more days with 46 total witnesses expected to testify.