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 throughout a racist assault in 2019.

Clifton Blackwell, 64, was discovered guilty Thursday of first-degree reckless damage, with a dangerous weapon, as a hate crime. He faces as much as 20 years in jail 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 the USA.

Blackwell was waiting for a bus when he told Villalaz that he had parked his truck illegally in a bus cease zone exterior a restaurant, prosecutors said. The two may very well be seen on surveillance video, but not heard, and Blackwell may very well be seen retrieving an aluminum bottle from his satchel.

Villalaz moved his truck to another parking spot and headed again towards the restaurant. The 2 argued once more 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 completely 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 said he was scared when Villalaz got so indignant, and splashed the liquid simply 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 “return,” but didn’t want to damage anybody.

Blackwell was taken into custody after the decision.