Illinois – In a deeply disturbing case in Illinois, a 73-year-old man, identified as J. Czuba, has been found guilty of both first-degree murder and hate crime charges in connection with the brutal attack driven by hate that resulted in the death of a 6-year-old boy, identified as W. Alfayoumi, and severe injuries to his mother, identified as H. Shaheen.
The charges against Czuba were rooted in the accusation that he targeted his tenants specifically because of their faith, amidst the backdrop of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This act of violence was not just seen as a murder but also a hate crime, exacerbating the gravity of the proceedings against him.
The fatal incident where Czuba violently attacked his tenants, the 6-year-old Alfayoumi and his mother Shaheen, took place on October 14, 2023. According to reports, the victim and his mother rented rooms in Czuba’s residence and shared common spaces such as the kitchen and living room. The attack was particularly savage. Alfayoumi was stabbed 26 times and was found by responders without any clothes and with a knife still lodged in his side. His mother, Shaheen, suffered over a dozen stab wounds.
During the trial, it was revealed that Czuba had told Shaheen that they were no longer welcome in his house following the outbreak of the conflict. On the day of the attack, he escalated his hostility into violence, first attacking Shaheen and then her son in a separate room. As per reports, Czuba yelled, “You Muslims must die,” shortly before he stabbed the boy to death. The boy’s father spoke to the media and claimed his son and his ex-wife had a good relationship with their landlord, and prior to the attack, they had not had issues with him.
The trial featured heart-wrenching testimonies from Shaheen, who recounted the attack. She described how Czuba pinned her down, stabbed her, and attempted to break her teeth, all while declaring that she must die because of her faith. Additionally, police officers and medical workers provided critical testimony, detailing the gruesome scene and the immediate aftermath of the attack. Czuba’s ex-wife also testified, noting that while her ex-husband often carried knives for handy work around the house, she could only recall one significant outburst during their 30 years of marriage.
Prosecutors presented evidence, including the horrific details of the attack and a 911 call made by Shaheen immediately after the incident. They argued that Czuba’s actions were premeditated, highlighted by his immediate and unfounded eviction notice to the family based on their religious background.
M. Fitzgerald, an assistant state’s attorney, emphasized the senselessness and brutality of the attack during his statements to the jury. He noted the devastating effect of leaving the murder weapon in the young victim’s body, symbolizing the utter disregard for human life. After less than 90 minutes of deliberation, the jury returned with a guilty verdict on all counts. The case serves as a somber reminder of the destructive power of hate and prejudice, resonating with a community and a nation that continues to grapple with issues of violence and intolerance.
