Rick Chow - Not Guilty!

A Columbia jury decided that Rick Chow was NOT GUILTY. 

It's about time. How will Solicitor Byron Gipson give Mr. Chow back the three years of his life that he lost while he sat in jail, waiting for trial?

According to Fox News, Gipson said, in part, "As our community processes this outcome, we will continue to uplift the Carmack-Belton family in our thoughts and prayers. I ask that you honor both the family and Cyrus' memory by supporting them in a peaceful manner during this difficult time."

What a load of horse manure!

Who is the "we" in Gipson's statement? His office? The Columbia community? Cyrus' family? 

Why isn't Gipson neutral, now that the trial is over? He respects the jury's decision? Who believes that?

What about some sympathy for Mr. Chow, who was held without bail for three years?

Chief Holbrook and Sheriff Lott had better be ready for riots, fires, destruction, violent protests. Chow no longer is involved with the convenience store on Parklane. Will it be looted again? 

The State newspaper reports demonstrators are already at the Shell station on Parklane. They want "justice". Well, justice was rendered by the jury yesterday. But they want their justice.

Why did Cyrus Carmack-Belton (AGE 14!) have a loaded, concealed handgun in that convenience store on a Sunday night three years ago?

Where did he get the gun? How long had he had it? How did he get it? Did any family member know he had it?

Where and when was that photo (above) of Cyrus (with the background "Rutherford Law") taken? That  institutional wall looks suspiciously like a hallway at Summit Parkway Middle School. Is it? Was "Rutherford Law" photoshopped into the photo?

Why did Cyrus run from the store? We'll never know. My guess is that he didn't want to be searched by deputies, who would have found the concealed pistol. A 14-year-old with a concealed, loaded pistol! That's a crime; right? A very serious crime.