MILWAUKEE — A Milwaukee man is charged with a hate crime for the acid attack on the city's south side. The District Attorney's Office charged Clifton Blackwell, 61, with a felony. Court records said he accused the victim of "invading" the U.S. before throwing acid in his face.
Mahud Villalaz has scars on one side of his face from the attack. He is an American citizen originally from Peru. Surveillence video captures the moments of the attack on Villalez. Court records said Blackwell called Villalaz "illegal." Then he told him to "go back, go back motherf***er," before he threw the acid.
A waitress at the nearby restaurant said Villalaz ran inside crying out in pain. She and the other workers tried to wash it off. His face, neck and left eye were all burned. Villalaz said he is now improving with treatment.
This area is kind of better, the skin. This area, more skin needs to fall off," said Villalaz pointing to his neck. "But I am getting better"
Police found acid and other chemicals in Blackwell's home. Blackwell attorney said he served in the military. Blackwell's mother, Jacqueline Blackwell, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that her son was getting treatment Department of Veterans Affairs in Milwaukee for post traumatic stress disorder.
The Milwaukee Department of Veterans Affairs released this statement:
"The Milwaukee VA takes very seriously the safety and health of all veterans we treat. We offer 24/7 comprehensive medical and mental health care service. Privacy restrictions prevent the Milwaukee VA from confirming the identifties of patients or commenting on individual veteran's treatment. In instances where the VA has a patient who is unsafe for release we work with local authorities to place them in custody following treatment."
Villalaz is upset that Blackwell was given a $20,000 cash bond.
"That's unacceptable. He doesn't need to be on bond," said Villalaz.
