Ex-wife of Man Charged in Palestinian American Boy’s Death Said He Had Become Paranoid
The Testimony of Mary Connor
Mary Connor, the ex-wife of 73-year-old Joseph Czuba, took the stand as the 12th witness for the prosecution in the murder and hate crime trial. Czuba is accused of stabbing 6-year-old Palestinian American boy Wadee Alfayoumi to death and wounding his mother, Hanan Shaheen, at their suburban Chicago home.
A Change in Behavior
Connor testified that Czuba had become paranoid about his personal safety and wanted Shaheen out of his house after Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023. She said Czuba told her, “Mary, I feel that Hanan needs to move. Do you know what happened in Israel?” He believed Shaheen’s friends could come and harm them.
A Failing Relationship
Connor said she and Czuba were friends and enjoyed an amicable relationship, but this changed after the war began. She tried to reason with Czuba, explaining that Shaheen had never had a guest in the home, but he was unconvinced. Connor was angry and felt that there was no reason for Shaheen to move. They should have given Shaheen the 30-day notice required in their lease.
The Days Leading Up to the Stabbings
In the days leading up to the stabbings, Czuba became withdrawn and mentioned a “day of Jihad.” He withdrew $1,000 from his account, telling Connor it would be important to have money on hand if the US banking systems failed.
The Fateful Night
On October 14, 2023, Czuba allegedly forced his way into Shaheen’s room, stabbed her more than a dozen times, and then fatally attacked Wadee.
Other Witnesses
Other witnesses testified on Wednesday, including Brandon Vainowski, a firefighter and paramedic with the Plainfield Fire Protection District. He described how Wadee was in traumatic arrest and not breathing when he arrived at the house. Vainowski detailed the measures taken to try to resuscitate Wadee, who was stabbed 26 times and pronounced dead at a hospital.
Conclusion
The prosecution’s case continues, with several more witnesses set to testify. The defense has yet to present its case, and the jury will ultimately decide Czuba’s fate.
FAQs
* What charges is Joseph Czuba facing?
+ First-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery, and hate crimes
* What motivated Czuba to commit the crimes, according to prosecutors?
+ Hate for Muslim people
* How many times was Wadee Alfayoumi stabbed?
+ 26 times
* What was the outcome of the stabbings?
+ Wadee was pronounced dead at a hospital, and his mother, Hanan Shaheen, was wounded.
