Man convicted in racist 2019 acid assault in Milwaukee

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

Clifton Blackwell, 64, was found guilty Thursday of first-degree reckless injury, with a dangerous weapon, as a hate crime. He faces up to 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 road parking in November 2019 in Milwaukee. He accused Villalaz, who suffered second-degree burns, of being within the nation 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 cease zone outside a restaurant, prosecutors mentioned. The two may very well be seen on surveillance video, however not heard, and Blackwell might be seen retrieving an aluminum bottle from his satchel.

Villalaz moved his truck to another parking spot and headed again toward 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 throughout the trial that his vision in his left eye has been completely affected.

Blackwell said he carried the drain cleaner for self-defense at night as a result of he’s disabled, and had been attacked on the streets earlier than. He stated he was scared when Villalaz obtained so offended, and splashed the liquid just as Villalaz made a fist and seemed 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 offended at Blackwell for telling him he “invaded” his country and will “return,” however didn’t want to damage anyone.

Blackwell was taken into custody after the decision.