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 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 Could 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 america.

Blackwell was ready 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 might 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 again toward 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 throughout the trial that his vision in his left eye has been completely affected.

Blackwell mentioned he carried the drain cleaner for self-defense at night time because he’s disabled, and had been attacked on the streets earlier than. He stated he was scared when Villalaz bought so angry, 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 may “go back,” but didn’t need to harm anyone.

Blackwell was taken into custody after the verdict.