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 assault in 2019.

Clifton Blackwell, 64, was found responsible Thursday of first-degree reckless injury, with a harmful weapon, as a hate crime. He faces up to 20 years in prison at his sentencing Might 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 nation illegally and invading the United States.

Blackwell was ready 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 might be seen on surveillance video, however not heard, and Blackwell could be seen retrieving an aluminum bottle from his satchel.

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

Blackwell stated he carried the drain cleaner for self-defense at night because he’s disabled, and had been attacked on the streets before. He said he was scared when Villalaz obtained so angry, 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 indignant at Blackwell for telling him he “invaded” his nation and should “go back,” but didn’t wish to hurt anyone.

Blackwell was taken into custody after the decision.