Verdicts & Settlements December 19, 2005: $2M settlement in 1969 race-riot killing

The family of a black woman who was shot and killed more than 36 years ago during race riots in York, Pa., will share in a $2 million settlement announced Dec. 6 by York city officials.

The family of Lillie Belle Allen had sued the city and five former police officers.

The settlement also mandates a panel to make recommendations for an appropriate memorial to Allen and Henry Schaad, a white city policeman who also was shot to death during 10 days of rioting in the summer of 1969.

York Mayor John Brenner apologized to Allen's family.

We are very sorry for your loss, and I know no monetary settlement and no community dialogue will bring back Lillie Belle Allen, he said.

The case had been scheduled to go to trial in April.

Allen, 27, who lived in Aiken, S.C., was visiting relatives in York when they were confronted by a mob of white youths on July 21, 1969. Many of the youths were armed, and when Allen got out of the vehicle to take the wheel from her frightened sister, she was shot and killed.