It was reported that Joseph Czuba, the landlord who was sentenced to 53 years in prison for the murder of a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy and the attempted murder of his mother, has passed away. The 73-year-old Czuba was found guilty of murder, attempted murder, and hate-crime charges in February. He targeted the family because of their Islamic faith amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas in October 2023.
Czuba died while in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections, as confirmed by the Will County Sheriff’s Office. Ahmed Rehab, from the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Chicago office, emphasized that despite Czuba’s death, hate continues to persist.
The trial included emotional testimony from the mother, Hanan Shaheen, as well as disturbing crime scene evidence. The jury deliberated shortly before delivering the verdict. The family was residing in Czuba’s home in Plainfield at the time of the attack.
Prosecutors presented harrowing testimony from Shaheen, who recounted the attack, and played the 911 call and police footage during the trial. Czuba’s wife also testified against him, revealing his agitation over the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The violent attack reignited concerns about anti-Muslim bias, particularly impacting the Palestinian community in Plainfield and neighboring areas. Wadee’s funeral drew significant attendance, and a park playground in Plainfield was dedicated in his memory.
