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 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 Could 18.

The jury rejected Blackwell’s argument that he acted in self-defense after arguing with Mahud Villalaz over street parking in November 2019 in Milwaukee. He accused Villalaz, who suffered second-degree burns, of being within the nation illegally and invading the US.

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 stated. 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 during the trial that his vision in his left eye has been completely affected.

Blackwell stated 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 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 angry at Blackwell for telling him he “invaded” his country and may “go back,” but didn’t need to hurt anyone.

Blackwell was taken into custody after the verdict.