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 throughout a racist attack in 2019.

Clifton Blackwell, 64, was discovered 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 road 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 advised Villalaz that he had parked his truck illegally in a bus cease 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 another parking spot and headed back 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 because he’s disabled, and had been attacked on the streets earlier than. He stated he was scared when Villalaz obtained so indignant, and splashed the liquid simply as Villalaz made a fist and gave the impression 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 should “return,” however didn’t wish to damage anyone.

Blackwell was taken into custody after the verdict.