Murder trial begins for Rick Chow in 14-year-old's 2023 shooting death
The murder trial for former Columbia convenience store owner Rick Chow is set to begin Tuesday in Richland County.Chow is charged in the May 28, 2023, shooting
wach.comHere’s the latest I can share based on recent coverage:
A murder trial related to Rick Chow, the former Columbia gas-station owner, has been in the headlines recently. Reports indicate the trial proceeded into its second day in Richland County, with prosecutors presenting witnesses and the defense challenging aspects of the evidence and self-defense claims. This development continues the lengthy legal proceedings stemming from the 2023 death of Cyrus Carmack-Belton. [Source coverage from local outlets dated May 25–27, 2026.]
Earlier in 2023–2025 reporting, Chow faced charges including murder, with ongoing court actions such as emergency hearings and bond considerations. The case has drawn substantial local media attention due to the circumstances surrounding the shooting and subsequent legal determinations, including immunity rulings under Stand Your Ground. [Background reporting from 2023–2025.]
If you’d like, I can pull the most current local updates and summarize the key rulings and witness testimony from the latest court days. I can also outline a timeline of the case and compile a list of publicly available documents or video briefings. Please tell me which format you prefer (timeline, bullet summary, or a short brief with key dates).
Citations:
The murder trial for former Columbia convenience store owner Rick Chow is set to begin Tuesday in Richland County.Chow is charged in the May 28, 2023, shooting
wach.comThe murder trial of former Columbia convenience store owner Rick Chow moves into its second day in Richland County, as prosecutors and defense attorneys continu
wach.comColumbia convenience store owner Rick Chow was in court Tuesday morning for an emergency hearing before Judge Robert Hood.Chow's attorney Jack Swerling filed a
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