Prison terms in race riot slaying anger from family

YORK, Pa. -- Six white men apologized in court for the slaying of a young black woman during a 1969 race riot, but neither their remorse nor their prison terms soothed the grief and outrage of the victim's kin.

The six were given sentences of up to three years in prison Wednesday in the shooting death of Lillie Belle Allen during 10 days of racial violence in York. None was given the maximum sentence -- and only one will serve in a state lockup.

"I feel like it's a slap in my face and my children's face," said Hattie Dickson, 56, who was driving the family car the night her sister was ambushed by white gang members.

The race riots haunted York for more than 30 years. During the riots, a white police officer was also killed, more than 60 people were injured and 100 were arrested.

But the case was dormant until prosecutors reopened it in 1999. They eventually brought charges against 10 white men in the slaying of Allen, 27. Two black men were charged with murder in the slaying of the officer.

A jury acquitted former Mayor Charlie Robertson, a police officer at the time of the riots who had been accused of handing out ammunition and encouraging white gang members to shoot blacks.

Two other suspects will be sentenced next month, and the 10th defendant is awaiting trial.

The defendants sentenced Wednesday apologized in court, but Allen's family members didn't believe they were genuine.

Debra Taylor, Allen's daughter, urged Judge John C. Uhler to impose the maximum term.

"It would have meant so much if you had just said, 'It was a terrible thing, a horrific thing. I'm so sorry.' That would have meant more to me than you doing life in prison," said Taylor.

Arthur Messersmith, the only defendant given state prison time, was sentenced to 18 months to three years. He had pleaded guilty to attempted murder and conspiracy charges and faced up to nine years in prison.

Rick Knouse, William Ritter and Clarence Lutzinger were sentenced to nine to 23 1/2 months in county jail. Chauncey Gladfelter and Tom Smith were sentenced to three to 23 1/2 months in county jail.