Bail reduced for man charged in acid attack hate crime

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The man charged with a hate crime acid attack appeared in court Thursday, Nov. 12. 

His trial scheduled for next week was postponed to give him time to hire a new lawyer.

Sixty-two-year-old Clifton Blackwell is charged with first-degree reckless injury as a hate crime following the attack outside a south side restaurant a year ago.

During Thursday's hearing, the judge reduced his current bail so Blackwell can pay for a lawyer.

"I believe this is the best action to take counsel at this time in this case, including for the alleged victim for a resolve, and I think the most expeditious way for that to happen is to give the defendant an opportunity to retain counsel of his choice," said Judge Glenn Yamahiro. 

Blackwell's original bail was set at $20,000.

The judge also granted permission for Blackwell to visit places with computers to find more information on his case and secure an attorney.

The postponed trial has been pushed back to January.