Landlord Accused of Killing Wadee Al Fayoumi, Stabbing Boy’s Mom Fears ‘They Were Going to Do Jihad on Me’

Jurors Hear Landlord’s Remarks

During his ride to the police station, the landlord suspected of stabbing his Palestinian American tenant and killing her 6-year-old son told a sheriff’s police sergeant the woman was a “trained fighter” who put him in danger: “They were just like infested rats.”

“I was afraid for my life,” Joseph Czuba said in the back of a Will County sheriff’s police vehicle. “I was afraid for my wife. I was afraid they were going to do jihad on me.”

Jurors Heard the Remarks in a Video Played Thursday

Jurors heard the remarks in a video played Thursday in a Will County courtroom where Czuba is on trial for the October 2023 attack on Hanan Shaheen and the slaying of 6-year-old Wadee Al Fayoumi.

Prosecutors Rested Their Case

Prosecutors rested their case Thursday after calling their final witness, Will County Sheriff’s Sgt. Patrick Jones.

Jones Responded to the Scene

Jones responded to the scene in Plainfield on Oct. 14, 2023, and transported Czuba to the sheriff’s office after the blood-covered suspect was first checked for injuries at a hospital. In a video of the ride in Jones’ squad car, Czuba begins by making unprompted comments about “PLO,” possibly referring to the Palestine Liberation Organization.

Czuba’s Remarks

“I can’t believe all these protests and people that are supporting PLO,” Czuba can be heard saying in the car. “It’s so evil. … It’s like Nazis. It’s crazy.”

Czuba continues to speak without any questioning from Jones, mentioning his safety concerns.

“She was a trained fighter, let me tell you,” Czuba says. “They are just like infested rats.”

Wadee Al Fayoumi, a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy from Plainfield, was stabbed to death Oct. 14, 2023, in an alleged hate crime.

Czuba’s Defense

Czuba, 73, is accused of stabbing Shaheen and killing Wadee after becoming radicalized by conservative commentary about the war in Gaza.

Speaking from the backseat of the squad car, Czuba does not mention Shaheen or Wadee by name but says he “tried to be his friend,” by buying the boy toys. He also says he had “tried to help her out,” and that “she didn’t tell me she was Muslim.”

“I begged her to get out for three days,” Czuba says in the video. “She would not leave.”

Forensic Scientist Testifies

In earlier testimony Thursday, a forensic scientist told jurors that DNA from Wadee, Shaheen and Czuba was likely in the blood mixture found on the base of the knife and knife handle found lodged in the side of the young boy.

The scientist said they do not use the term “match” when testing a mixture of samples but that there was “very strong support,” to indicate the DNA of all three was included in the blood mixture she tested.

Closing Arguments Expected

Prosecutors and defense attorneys are expected to make their closing arguments on Friday.

Conclusion

The trial of Joseph Czuba, accused of killing 6-year-old Wadee Al Fayoumi and stabbing his mother, Hanan Shaheen, is ongoing. The case is a hate crime, and the jury will have to decide if Czuba is guilty or not.

FAQs

Q: What is the charge against Joseph Czuba?

A: Czuba is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder, two counts of aggravated battery, and two counts of committing a hate crime.

Q: What is the motive behind the crime?

A: Czuba allegedly became radicalized by conservative commentary about the war in Gaza.

Q: What was Czuba’s defense?

A: Czuba’s defense is that he was acting in self-defense and that the crime was not a hate crime.

Q: What is the expected outcome of the trial?

A: The jury will decide if Czuba is guilty or not, and the outcome will depend on the evidence presented in court.