Some family members of Kelvin Davis cried softly Wednesday as they listened to witnesses testify about the events before and after his death and the activities of those alleged to be involved in his killing

Davis was 19 when he was shot to death during an invasion of his home on 147 Woodberry Drive on Aug. 18. Patrick Troy Rice, 26, of 617 Evans St., Whitmire, is on trial, charged with murder, armed robbery, first-degree burglary and two counts of kidnapping. Also charged in the case is Derrick “Black Jesus” Ruff, 28, of 146 Grant Acres Way, Prosperity. Ruff’s case hasn’t come to trial.

The case is being tried before Circuit Judge James C. Williams of Orangeburg. The jury is comprised of six women and six men with a male and female alternate.

Michael Rice, Patrick Rice’s cousin, testified that Ruff told him on Aug. 16 that he and others planned to come to Union and rob a man. Rice said he told Ruff he thought this was a bad idea and he wanted no part of it.

Michael Rice talked in a low voice and at times Deputy Solicitor John Anthony had to ask him to repeat his answers to questions.

Michael Rice said that on Aug. 18 Patrick Rice told him he had been involved in a robbery and someone had been shot. Michael said he was shown money and marijuana which Patrick said had been taken in the robbery.

Later that day, Patrick Rice and Miriam Dickert were taken to a motel in Clinton, Michael Rice said. In the days that followed, Patrick Rice later fled to a motel in Charlotte, N.C., and then to Thomasville, N.C. Michael said he, Miss Dickert, Sierra Brazwell and a man visited Patrick Rice in Charlotte. The women went to the mall and Patrick Rice gave more details about the robbery, including that a man who was with him and Ruff was the person who had shot Davis.

Michael Rice testified that he himself actually was wanted by law enforcement during this time on an unrelated drug charge. He turned himself in to the Whitmire Police and gave a statement about his knowledge of Davis’ murder. He has been charged by the Union County Sheriff’s Office with accessory after the fact to a murder.

Patrick Rice’s lawyer, John Reckenbeil of Spartanburg, asked Michael Rice where he was living. Michael Rice said he had been held in the Union County Jail since July 28 on crack cocaine charges. Reckenbeil asked Michael Rice if he had been offered anything by law enforcement in exchange for his testimony.

“You know you are looking at your third drug offense and the penalties are more severe,” Reckenbeil said.

Reckenbeil asked Michael Rice why he had not called police when Ruff had told him there was going to be a robbery.

Patrick Rice, dressed in a long sleeve plaid shirt and khakis, at times during breaks in testimony turned to smile and wink reassuringly at female family members seated behind him in the courtroom.

Amanda Dickert of Whitmire, Miriam’s sister-in-law, testified that Miriam called her on the morning of Aug. 18 and asked her to take her to Newberry to get some clothing. Amanda said she picked Miriam up on Evans Street in Whitmire, where she was with Patrick Rice. She said Miriam then told her she wanted her to take her and Rice to Clinton. She said Rice gave her the money for the motel.