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 harm, with a dangerous weapon, as a hate crime. He faces as much as 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 america.

Blackwell was waiting for a bus when he instructed Villalaz that he had parked his truck illegally in a bus stop zone outside 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 back towards 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 night because he’s disabled, and had been attacked on the streets before. He said he was scared when Villalaz got so indignant, and splashed the liquid just 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 country and should “return,” however didn’t wish to damage anyone.

Blackwell was taken into custody after the verdict.