JOLIET, Ill. — A pretrial hearing for the landlord accused of stabbing a six-year-old boy to death took place in a packed courtroom in unincorporated Plainfield on Wednesday. Joseph Czuba, the accused, faces first-degree murder charges and two counts of a hate crime. Czuba previously pleaded not guilty to the charges. The state prosecutors allege that Czuba stabbed Wadee Alfayoumi to death and seriously injured his mother because they are Muslim.
The boy’s father, Odai Alfayoumi, spoke before going into court, expressing his shaken state and trying to take things one day at a time. He was joined by local faith organizations and community members who offered their support for the family through a moment of prayer at the start of the day. Wadee’s father emphasized the importance of unity, stating, “We must stand together, Muslims and non-Muslims, and condemn all forms of hatred and discrimination. My son’s memory will serve as a reminder that we must keep working to create a more inclusive society.”
During the hearing, attorneys handled procedural matters quickly, and Czuba is scheduled to return to court on March 7. A translator helped convey the father’s message to the world, highlighting the need for unity and denouncing all forms of hatred. The case has sparked outrage and calls for peace from various organizations, emphasizing the devastating impact of the incident.
The next court date for Czuba is on March 7, and the community continues to rally in support of the Alfayoumi family, seeking justice for the tragic loss of young Wadee.