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 during a racist assault in 2019.

Clifton Blackwell, 64, was found responsible Thursday of first-degree reckless harm, with a dangerous weapon, as a hate crime. He faces as much as 20 years in jail 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 within the nation illegally and invading the USA.

Blackwell was waiting for a bus when he informed Villalaz that he had parked his truck illegally in a bus stop zone outside a restaurant, prosecutors stated. The two could 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 a different parking spot and headed back 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 in the course of the trial that his vision in his left eye has been completely affected.

Blackwell stated he carried the drain cleaner for self-defense at night because he’s disabled, and had been attacked on the streets earlier than. He stated he was scared when Villalaz received so offended, and splashed the liquid simply 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 nation and may “go back,” but didn’t need to hurt anyone.

Blackwell was taken into custody after the decision.