Carmack-Belton Family Pursues 2024 Wrongful Death Suit Against Rick Chow After Murder Acquittal

3 articles · Updated · WIS News 10 · Jun 2

Todd Rutherford said Monday that Cyrus Carmack-Belton’s family still plans to press its wrongful death case against Rick Chow after a jury acquitted him of murder.
The civil suit, first filed in August 2024, had been stayed pending the criminal trial and had no new filings as of June 2.
The complaint alleges Chow and other defendants racially profiled the 14-year-old, falsely accused him of stealing water bottles and that he fled in fear before the fatal shooting.
Trial evidence showed Chow and his son chased Carmack-Belton more than 100 yards after the May 2023 encounter; prosecutors said Chow shot him in the back, while the defense argued the armed teen posed a danger.

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He was acquitted for shooting a fleeing teen. Can a civil lawsuit now deliver a different form of justice for the family?

When a teen is shot in the back but also armed, how does a jury decide between self-defense and murder?