Man Sentenced To 53 Years In Hate Crime Murder Of 6-year-old Palestinian Boy

A 73-year-old Illinois man was sentenced to much than 50 years successful situation for nan 2023 dislike crime execution of a 6-year-old Palestinian boy. In February, a assemblage recovered Joseph Czuba blameworthy of murder, attempted murder, aggravated artillery and dislike crime charges.

Czuba was convicted of stabbing 6-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi 26 times and stabbing nan boy’s mother, Hanan Shaheen, much than a twelve times. The mother was earnestly wounded successful nan onslaught and survived.

Prosecutors said Czuba was nan landlord of nan boy and his mother and that he targeted them because they are Muslim.

Mother’s grounds specifications attack

During nan trial, Shaheen testified that while Czuba was stabbing her, he said, “You, arsenic a Muslim, must die,” The Associated Press reported.

She sewage away, barricaded herself successful nan bath and called nan police. That’s erstwhile she started proceeding her boy screaming.

Prosecutors played nan 911 telephone for nan jury. In it, Shaheen was screaming to nan dispatcher, “The landlord is sidesplitting maine and my baby! He’s sidesplitting my babe successful different room!” according to nan AP.

Attack followed outbreak of Israel-Hamas war

The onslaught occurred successful October 2023, conscionable days aft Hamas attacked Israel, which ignited nan Israel-Hamas war.

Authorities said Czuba had rented retired rooms to nan Muslim family for astir 2 years without immoderate issues.

Behavior displacement noted by wife

Czuba’s woman told nan tribunal that successful nan days aft nan Hamas attack, her hubby became withdrawn and said he wanted nan family retired immediately, The New York Times reported. She suggested they springiness nan family a 30-day notice.

Sentencing and ineligible motions

On Friday, May 2, a judge sentenced Czuba to 53 years down bars aft denying a mobility from nan defense squad to overturn nan jury’s conviction.

Czuba’s defense squad besides revenge a mobility to reconsider his sentencing, pinch a proceeding scheduled for May 7, WLS reports.

Illinois law requires Czuba to service nan entirety of his execution sentence.