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 attack in 2019.

Clifton Blackwell, 64, was discovered responsible Thursday of first-degree reckless injury, 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 street parking in November 2019 in Milwaukee. He accused Villalaz, who suffered second-degree burns, of being in the country illegally and invading the USA.

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

Villalaz moved his truck to another parking spot and headed back toward the restaurant. The 2 argued again 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 mentioned he carried the drain cleaner for self-defense at night time as a result of he’s disabled, and had been attacked on the streets before. He stated he was scared when Villalaz acquired so indignant, and splashed the liquid simply 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 indignant at Blackwell for telling him he “invaded” his country and may “go back,” however didn’t need to hurt anybody.

Blackwell was taken into custody after the decision.