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 found guilty Thursday of first-degree reckless damage, 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 street parking in November 2019 in Milwaukee. He accused Villalaz, who suffered second-degree burns, of being within the country illegally and invading the US.

Blackwell was ready for a bus when he advised Villalaz that he had parked his truck illegally in a bus cease zone outdoors a restaurant, prosecutors mentioned. The 2 could possibly 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 back towards the restaurant. The two argued again 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 time because he’s disabled, and had been attacked on the streets before. He stated he was scared when Villalaz got 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 angry at Blackwell for telling him he “invaded” his nation and should “return,” but didn’t want to damage anybody.

Blackwell was taken into custody after the decision.