A Milwaukee, Wisconsin man convicted of throwing acid in the face of another man in a hate crime attack is going to prison.
A judge on Wednesday sentenced 64-year-old Clifton Blackwell to 10 years in prison. He’ll also serve five years of extended supervision.
“We’re all different from one another,” Judge Jean Marie Kies told Blackwell in court. “When we let those differences cloud our judgment, that’s bias or prejudice or discrimination, and in this instance it is hate. I’m sure (the acid) was absolutely painful. And you caused him emotional distress that I think is never going to heal. You made him feel he’s not worthy and that’s diabolical.”
Blackwell was convicted last month of first-degree reckless injury as a hate crime.
Surveillance cameras captured Blackwell throwing acid in the face of Peruvian immigrant Mahud Villalaz.
The attack happened outside a Mexican restaurant at South 13th Street and West Cleveland Avenue in November 2019.
Jurors decided Blackwell did not act in self-defense.
Minutes after the attack, Villalaz told police the acid was thrown in his face after Blackwell told him he was parked at a bus stop, called him “an illegal” and told him to go back to his country.
Villalaz is a U.S. citizen.
He suffered burns to his face and eye and said he suffers permanent injuries.
Blackwell said he still fears Villalaz.
“I regret that it all happened,” he said at his sentencing. “I’m still scared I could drop dead of a heart attack right now as far as I know. I would definitely do it differently.”
Kies said she didn’t hear any remorse from Blackwell and she needed to send a message to the community that attacking people because of their race isn’t acceptable.
“That was embarrassing that he said he was still afraid of me. If we would have heard an apology from him, the sentence may have been different, but he chose not to,” Villalaz said. “This shouldn’t happen. If this happens to anyone we need to speak up. We can’t tolerate hate. This is America. We have rights and we have to fight for them.”
Prosecutors said Blackwell’s racist views contributed to his decision to splash Villalaz with sulfuric acid drain cleaner.
Blackwell’s lawyer said he regularly carried the acid for protection on the bus, calling it a “poor man’s mace” and argued he used it only when he thought Villalaz was going to punch him during their argument and contends it had nothing to do with the victim’s race.
Villalaz chose not to speak after court last month but in a statement thanked the jury for its verdict and the community for their support.
His attorney said the jury sent the message that attacking people based on the color of their skin or where they’re from has no place in our country.
Blackwell has been ordered to have no contact with VIllalaz.
He is not eligible for the Challenge Incarceration program or the Wisconsin Substance Abuse Program.
Blackwell faced up to 30 years in prison.
Blackwell’s attorney, asked the judge for a sentence of two to three years in prison.
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