AdvertisementGet the newsHas anything changed 50 years after York burned?The degree to which race relations have improved in York City since the riots of 1969 depends on who’s asked.EDITORIAL: This pot needs stirringYork riots 50 years later: ‘History does not repeat itself; people repeat history’Elections E-Edition Crime Watch AP Fact Check Special Reports Obituaries Most Wanted Project Vote Smart 2019 Prom Galleries 2018 Graduation Galleries York County 911 Henry Schaad: Symbol for York City Police, cherished by family "He died doing what he loved, and that was protecting and serving. ... I cannot imagine ... being young and having a young family and knowing what was on the line to protect a community." Local CLOSEVIDEO: ‘She died trying to save her family’ Lillie Belle Allen, 27, was the first casualty of the 1969 York race riots, and she left an impression on the hearts of those around her that has weathered a half-century. CLOSEVIDEO: Schaad family reflects on riots Henry Schaad's brother Barry and daughter Sharon talks about the impact of Henry's murder during the '69 riots in York City. 1969 riots: A reckoning, decades after York’s summer of rage The York riots that took place 50 years ago this summer left dozens injured, many severely wounded, houses and business firebombed and destroyed, and two people dead. Local ‘It was always something that had to come out’ The prosecutions of Henry Schaad’s and Lillie Belle Allen’s murderers began two decades ago and took years of investigation, interviews and effort by a team of prosecutors and police led by deputy prosecutors Tom Kelley and Bill Graff and overseen by former DA Stan Rebert. Local CLOSEVIDEO: Riots prosecutor: ‘We didn’t want Charlie so much as we wanted the shooters’ York area Attorneys Bill Graff and Tom Kelley reminisce about their rolls as prosecutors in the York riots trials. Graff was lead prosecutor for the murder of Patrolman Henry C. Schaad, and Kelley for the murder of Lillie Belle Allen. EDITORIAL: Trump leads divide on racial relations An ugly debate sparked by a recent series of derogatory Twitter messages by President Donald Trump has demonstrated yet again the depths to which the president has dragged his party, his country and national discourse. FROM THE ARCHIVES: Fear and fury — Remembering the Riots of 1969 on 30th anniversary Memories of the 1969 York riots linger uncomfortably, like the summer heat that sticks to city streets in the gathering darkness. Archives Get the Email NewsletterThanks for signing up for the newsletterWe're sorry.something went wrong.Please try again soon, or contact Customer Service at 1-800-559-3520Sign up for more NewslettersFROM THE ARCHIVES: Suspects known, but still free; after decades, two cases remain open Henry C. Schaad and Lillie Belle Allen happened to be in the wrong place at a time most people would rather just forget. Archives FROM THE ARCHIVES: Killers can’t rest: Justice is still possible, prosecutor says A York County deputy district attorney says prosecuting the gunmen who killed two people during the 1969 riots in York City could be difficult, but given the right break in the cases, it’s not necessarily impossible. Archives FROM THE ARCHIVES: New leads in ‘69 slayings Donald E. Altland scratched three words on a white paper napkin he dug out of the glove box of his blue pickup. “Forgive Me God.” Archives FROM THE ARCHIVES: Decades after gunfire, victim’s sister recounts story for authorities Hattie Dickson waited 31 years to tell her story in court. A few more hours wouldn’t matter. Archives FROM THE ARCHIVES: FBI: Allen passed police; witness told feds cops let car pass onto Newberry At the time of the July 1969 shooting of Lillie Belle Allen, witnesses described a participant who wore police-type clothing and a helmet — and federal agents actively investigated whether police took part in her killing, according to FBI documents. Archives FROM THE ARCHIVES: Old enemies come face to face Jimmy Spells and Bobby Messersmith sat two seats apart outside of Courtroom No. 3 yesterday, waiting to appear before a grand jury to talk about the past. It was the first time in more than 31 years the two met face to face. Archives FROM THE ARCHIVES: Witnesses: Cops provoked violence After they left the courtroom last week, those called to testify weren’t talking about what they told a grand jury investigating two killings during York’s 1969 race riots. Archives FROM THE ARCHIVES: Ex-mayor free; 2 guilty Thirty-three years after Lillie Belle Allen was slain, jurors last night found two former white teen gang members guilty of second-degree murder in the black woman’s death, but acquitted York’s former mayor, Charlie H. Robertson. Archives FROM THE ARCHIVES: Six get prison in riots case Lillie Belle Allen’s daughter has little sympathy for the men who would like to do what she has never been able to – put the past behind. Archives FROM THE ARCHIVES: Schaad family feels relief and redemptionArchives FROM THE ARCHIVES: 10th defendant faces nine years The 10th and final defendant charged in the 1969 murder of Lillie Belle Allen pleaded no contest to conspiracy and attempted murder yesterday, an anticlimactic conclusion to four controversial years of investigation and prosecution in the racially charged case. Archives FROM THE ARCHIVES: Prosecutors: Justice served Moments after he was found guilty of murder, Leon “Smickel” Wright walked over to the family of his victim, sitting together in the second row of the courtroom. Archives FROM THE ARCHIVES: ‘69 riot murders ‘eerily similar’ Calling the two cases “eerily similar,” a York County judge yesterday gave two black men convicted of killing a white police office the same sentences given last year to two white men convicted of murdering a black woman during the 1969 York City race riots. Archives Share your feedback to help improve our site experience!
