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Charlie Robertson, 83, Ex-Mayor Acquitted of Murder, Dies Charlie Robertson, 83, Ex-Mayor Acquitted of Murder, Dies
(about 5 hours later)
Charlie Robertson, the former mayor of York, Pa., who in 2002 was acquitted of murder in the killing of a black woman during racial unrest in 1969, died on Thursday in York. He was 83.Charlie Robertson, the former mayor of York, Pa., who in 2002 was acquitted of murder in the killing of a black woman during racial unrest in 1969, died on Thursday in York. He was 83.
His death, in a nursing home, was confirmed by his son, Chhayrong Chhum. Mr. Robertson had learned about a month ago that he had cancer.His death, in a nursing home, was confirmed by his son, Chhayrong Chhum. Mr. Robertson had learned about a month ago that he had cancer.
Mr. Robertson abandoned his bid for a third term as mayor before his trial on charges that in 1969, as a patrolman on the city police force, he had incited a group of white youths who subsequently ambushed a vehicle and shot and killed Lillie Belle Allen.Mr. Robertson abandoned his bid for a third term as mayor before his trial on charges that in 1969, as a patrolman on the city police force, he had incited a group of white youths who subsequently ambushed a vehicle and shot and killed Lillie Belle Allen.
“He never talked about the trial at all,” said Mr. Chhum, who came to the United States from Cambodia as an orphan and was adopted by Mr. Robertson. “He focused on living the rest of his life by spending time with us, especially with the grandkids.”“He never talked about the trial at all,” said Mr. Chhum, who came to the United States from Cambodia as an orphan and was adopted by Mr. Robertson. “He focused on living the rest of his life by spending time with us, especially with the grandkids.”
Mr. Robertson was well into his second term in 2000 when the authorities convened a grand jury to investigate Ms. Allen’s shotgun killing, as well as the unsolved fatal shooting of a white police officer, Henry Schaad, during the rioting in York, a small, mostly blue-collar city about 26 miles southeast of Harrisburg.Mr. Robertson was well into his second term in 2000 when the authorities convened a grand jury to investigate Ms. Allen’s shotgun killing, as well as the unsolved fatal shooting of a white police officer, Henry Schaad, during the rioting in York, a small, mostly blue-collar city about 26 miles southeast of Harrisburg.
A day after winning the Democratic primary, Mr. Robertson announced that prosecutors had informed him that he would be charged with murder the next day.A day after winning the Democratic primary, Mr. Robertson announced that prosecutors had informed him that he would be charged with murder the next day.
“Murder is the charge, murder is the charge,” Mr. Robertson said. “I’m standing here in disbelief as to the charge, which they must prove. And to this, I maintain my innocence.”“Murder is the charge, murder is the charge,” Mr. Robertson said. “I’m standing here in disbelief as to the charge, which they must prove. And to this, I maintain my innocence.”
Prosecutors said local news coverage, in 1999, of the 30th anniversary of the riots had prompted people to come forward with fresh evidence that allowed them to reopen the case.Prosecutors said local news coverage, in 1999, of the 30th anniversary of the riots had prompted people to come forward with fresh evidence that allowed them to reopen the case.
Ms. Allen, a 27-year-old seamstress and mother of two from Aiken, S.C., was in York to visit family members and was headed to buy groceries with four relatives when they drove into an area controlled by a white gang known as the Newberry Street Boys.Ms. Allen, a 27-year-old seamstress and mother of two from Aiken, S.C., was in York to visit family members and was headed to buy groceries with four relatives when they drove into an area controlled by a white gang known as the Newberry Street Boys.
Seven of the 10 white men charged with Ms. Allen’s death pleaded guilty or no contest to lesser charges, but Mr. Robertson and two others went to trial. The two others were found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to prison time.Seven of the 10 white men charged with Ms. Allen’s death pleaded guilty or no contest to lesser charges, but Mr. Robertson and two others went to trial. The two others were found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to prison time.
Mr. Robertson cried after the verdict, by an all-white jury, was read in October 2002.Mr. Robertson cried after the verdict, by an all-white jury, was read in October 2002.
“It’s been two years,” he said at the time. “I’m a little tired, and I’m going home.”“It’s been two years,” he said at the time. “I’m a little tired, and I’m going home.”
Mr. Robertson served on the York school board and was active in coaching and refereeing youth sports, but he otherwise kept a low profile after the trial.Mr. Robertson served on the York school board and was active in coaching and refereeing youth sports, but he otherwise kept a low profile after the trial.
John Brenner, a Democrat who succeeded Mr. Robertson as mayor, praised him for devoting much of his life to public service. “Whether you loved the guy or you didn’t think much of him, one thing I think everybody across the spectrum would agree is that Charlie loved York,” Mr. Brenner said.John Brenner, a Democrat who succeeded Mr. Robertson as mayor, praised him for devoting much of his life to public service. “Whether you loved the guy or you didn’t think much of him, one thing I think everybody across the spectrum would agree is that Charlie loved York,” Mr. Brenner said.
Racial conflict plagued York in 1968 and exploded the next year, when more than 60 people were injured and entire city blocks burned down. The mayhem raged for 10 days before hundreds of National Guardsmen and state troopers could restore calm.Racial conflict plagued York in 1968 and exploded the next year, when more than 60 people were injured and entire city blocks burned down. The mayhem raged for 10 days before hundreds of National Guardsmen and state troopers could restore calm.
Prosecutors had argued that Mr. Robertson gave ammunition to at least one of the gunmen to avenge Patrolman Schaad’s shooting three days earlier. A co-defendant who pleaded guilty in the case, Rick Knouse, testified that Mr. Robertson had given him rifle bullets and told him to kill as many black people as he could.Prosecutors had argued that Mr. Robertson gave ammunition to at least one of the gunmen to avenge Patrolman Schaad’s shooting three days earlier. A co-defendant who pleaded guilty in the case, Rick Knouse, testified that Mr. Robertson had given him rifle bullets and told him to kill as many black people as he could.
Mr. Robertson admitted that he had shouted “White power!” at a gang rally in a city park a day earlier, but he denied the other accusations. He was the first officer to arrive at the scene of the shooting, but neither he nor three other officers disarmed gang members, took witness statements or filed a report.Mr. Robertson admitted that he had shouted “White power!” at a gang rally in a city park a day earlier, but he denied the other accusations. He was the first officer to arrive at the scene of the shooting, but neither he nor three other officers disarmed gang members, took witness statements or filed a report.
“Everyone knew who was involved,” Mr. Robertson told Time magazine the year before his trial. “But everyone just thought it was even. One black had been killed and one white — even.”“Everyone knew who was involved,” Mr. Robertson told Time magazine the year before his trial. “But everyone just thought it was even. One black had been killed and one white — even.”
Two black men were convicted in 2003 of second-degree murder in the killing of Patrolman Schaad.Two black men were convicted in 2003 of second-degree murder in the killing of Patrolman Schaad.
Charles H. Robertson was born in York on April 12, 1934, a son of Milford Robertson, who was known as Hap, and the former Margretta S. Frick. He lived in the same house in York all his life, The York Daily Record said.Charles H. Robertson was born in York on April 12, 1934, a son of Milford Robertson, who was known as Hap, and the former Margretta S. Frick. He lived in the same house in York all his life, The York Daily Record said.
He served in the Army at Fort Sam Houston, Tex., and attended the Army War College in Carlisle, Pa. He was a police officer for 29 years.He served in the Army at Fort Sam Houston, Tex., and attended the Army War College in Carlisle, Pa. He was a police officer for 29 years.
An obituary released by a York funeral home said that in addition to his son, Mr. Robertson is survived by his wife, Chanh X.; two grandchildren; and a brother, James. An obituary released by a York funeral home said that in addition to his son, Mr. Robertson is survived by two grandchildren and a brother, James.