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 attack in 2019.

Clifton Blackwell, 64, was found responsible Thursday of first-degree reckless injury, with a dangerous weapon, as a hate crime. He faces up to 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 avenue 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 waiting for a bus when he informed Villalaz that he had parked his truck illegally in a bus cease zone outdoors a restaurant, prosecutors mentioned. The two could possibly be seen on surveillance video, but not heard, and Blackwell could 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 2 argued again and Blackwell splashed the contents of the bottle, which was acidic drain cleaner, in Villalaz’s face.

Villalaz, 43, testified during the trial that his vision in his left eye has been permanently affected.

Blackwell said he carried the drain cleaner for self-defense at evening as a result of he’s disabled, and had been attacked on the streets before. He stated he was scared when Villalaz acquired 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 indignant at Blackwell for telling him he “invaded” his nation and will “return,” however didn’t want to harm anyone.

Blackwell was taken into custody after the verdict.