The Gun That Was Never in Evidence: Cyrus Carmack-Belton, Rick Chow, and the Verdict We Have Seen Before

On May 28th, 2023, Cyrus Carmack-Belton was 14 years old. He walked into a convenience store in Columbia, South Carolina. He picked up four water bottles. He put them back. Surveillance footage confirmed it. The Richland County Sheriff said it directly — we have no evidence he stole anything whatsoever. Rick Chow chased him anyway. Chow and his son ran after that 14-year-old boy more than 100 yards. And Rick Chow shot Cyrus Carmack-Belton in the back. The defense said Cyrus had a gun. That gun was never entered into evidence. On June 1st, 2026 — after eight hours of deliberation — a jury found Rick Chow not guilty. Today we talk about the gun that was never in the courtroom, the verdict that has been seen before, and the pattern that connects this case to names that should never have been forgotten. Let's have this conversation.00:00 — Disclaimer01:01 — Introduction02:53 — Thesis: The entire defense rested on a gun that was never entered into evidence — and a jury found Rick Chow not guilty anyway04:50 — Opening: May 28th, 2023 — Columbia, South Carolina — a 14-year-old boy put water bottles back on the shelf, was chased 100 yards, and was shot in the back08:05 — Background: The full case — the surveillance footage, the sheriff's statement, the Stand Your Ground denial, the five-day trial, the verdict, and the family's response13:53 — The Data: The gun that was never shown to the jury, the pattern — Emmett Till, Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Michael Brown — and what connects all of them to Cyrus Carmack-Belton19:38 — Personal Thoughts: Defense attorneys do not forget to enter evidence — they make strategic decisions. And in this case that decision was to ask a jury to believe a story without the proof.22:45 — Close: Know his name. Know what happened. And know that the gun that was never in the courtroom is the question this verdict should never be allowed to escape.Atlanta Black Star — atlantablackstar.comNBC News — nbcnews.comRichland County Sheriff's Department — rcsd.netNewsOne — newsone.comFollow the show wherever you get your podcasts.Goodpods Podcast🏆 #2 in the Top 100 Personal Journals Monthly chart🏆 #2 Podcast of the Month — Personal Journals🏆 #6 in the Top 100 Personal Journals Weekly chart🏆 #7 in the Top 100 Cult Monthly chart🏆 #8 in the Top 100 Business News Monthly chart🏆 #9 in the Top 100 Cult Weekly chart