Man convicted in racist 2019 acid attack in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A jury has convicted a white Milwaukee man who was accused of throwing acid on a Latino man’s face during a racist assault in 2019.

Clifton Blackwell, 64, was found responsible Thursday of first-degree reckless harm, with a harmful weapon, as a hate crime. He faces as much as 20 years in prison at his sentencing May 18.

The jury rejected Blackwell’s argument that he acted in self-defense after arguing with Mahud Villalaz over avenue parking in November 2019 in Milwaukee. He accused Villalaz, who suffered second-degree burns, of being within the country illegally and invading the United States.

Blackwell was ready for a bus when he instructed Villalaz that he had parked his truck illegally in a bus stop zone outdoors a restaurant, prosecutors mentioned. The 2 might be seen on surveillance video, but not heard, and Blackwell could possibly be seen retrieving an aluminum bottle from his satchel.

Villalaz moved his truck to another parking spot and headed again towards the restaurant. The two argued once more and Blackwell splashed the contents of the bottle, which was acidic drain cleaner, in Villalaz’s face.

Villalaz, 43, testified through the trial that his vision in his left eye has been permanently affected.

Blackwell stated he carried the drain cleaner for self-defense at evening as a result of he’s disabled, and had been attacked on the streets earlier than. He stated he was scared when Villalaz acquired so offended, and splashed the liquid just as Villalaz made a fist and appeared to be about to strike him, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

Villalaz is a U.S. citizen who immigrated from Peru. He testified he was angry at Blackwell for telling him he “invaded” his nation and should “return,” but didn’t want to hurt anyone.

Blackwell was taken into custody after the decision.