A landlord was convicted for a severe hate crime that resulted in the death of a six-year-old boy and injured his mother shortly after the beginning of the war.
Gaza
In 2023, they were handed a sentence of 53 years in prison.
In February, a jury found 73-year-old Joseph Czuba guilty of murder and hate crime charges for the lethal stabbing of Wadee Alfayoumi.
Palestinian
The injury of his American mother, Hanan Shaheen.
The family had been leasing rooms at Czuba’s place in Plainfield, approximately 40 miles away.
Chicago
in 2023, when the assault took place.
At the heart of the prosecution’s argument was chilling testimony from the child’s mother, who stated that Czuba first assaulted her before proceeding to target her son. She emphasized their urgent need to leave, citing safety concerns.
Muslim
.
The prosecutors additionally presented the 911 recording and displayed
police
footage. Czuba’s wife,
Mary
, from whom he has since separated, also provided testimony for the prosecution, stating that he had grown agitated about the
Israel
–
Hamas
The conflict, which had broken out just days prior.
Police
Czuba removed a knife from a holster attached to his belt and proceeded to stab the boy 26 times, with the knife remaining embedded in the child’s body. Several graphic images from the crime scene were deemed too disturbing for public viewing; thus, the judge allowed the court officials to adjust the TV screens displaying these pictures away from the spectators, including members of Wadee’s family who were present in the courtroom.
Michael Fitzgerald, a Will County assistant state’s attorney, informed the jurors during the trial, “He couldn’t evade it.” He further emphasized, “Beyond the fact that the accused took the life of that child, he also left the weapon inside the victim’s body.”
The jury discussed for 1 hour and 30 minutes prior to delivering their decision.
The incident reignited concerns about anti-Muslim prejudice and had a significant impact onPlainfield and nearby areas, known for their sizable and well-established Palestinian population. The funeral for Wadee attracted substantial attendance, with Plainfield authorities dedicating a park playground in his memory.
During the trial, Czuba remained silent. His defense lawyers contended that significant gaps existed within the prosecution’s case. His appointed attorney, George Lenard, chose not to communicate with journalists and refrained from making remarks prior to the sentencing being announced.
Shaheen sustained over a dozen stab wounds and it took her several weeks to recuperate.
She mentioned that during her two-year tenancy with the Czubas, there weren’t any previous problems, despite sharing spaces like the kitchen and living room.
Following the outbreak of the conflict, Czuba informed her that they needed to relocate since Muslims were unwelcome. Later, he cornered Shaheen, assaulted her, pinned her down, stabbed her, and attempted to damage her teeth.
“He told me ‘As a Muslim, you must die,’ ” stated Shaheen, who gave testimony.
English
and
Arabic
though a translator.
The police stated that when they arrived, they found Czuba outside the residence, seated on the ground covered in blood on both his body and hands.
Individually, civil lawsuits have been initiated regarding the boy’s death, including one brought forth by his father, Odai Alfayoumi, who is divorced from Shaheen and did not reside with them. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Justice has commenced a federal hate crimes investigation into the matter.
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