Trial commences for fatal stabbing of 6-year-old Palestinian boy

Jury selection has begun in the trial of Joseph Czuba, a 73-year-old Illinois man accused of stabbing 6-year-old Muslim boy Wadea Al-Fayoume to death and seriously injuring his mother, Hanaan Shahin, in what authorities are calling a hate crime. Czuba pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including first-degree murder and committing hate crimes. The attack occurred in October 2023, with Czuba allegedly motivated by a hatred of Muslims. Shahin survived the attack and recounted to authorities that Czuba confronted her about the Israel-Hamas war before assaulting her with a knife. Wadea, who was stabbed 26 times with a military-style knife, died from his injuries. Police found Czuba with knives and a cut on his forehead in the backyard after the attack. His wife claimed he feared being attacked by individuals of Middle Eastern descent and wanted Shahin and Wadea to move out. The incident took place a week after Hamas’ attack on Israel, leading to a military offensive and a significant death toll in the region. Former President Joe Biden and federal authorities denounced the attack, with a federal hate crime investigation subsequently launched. The U.S. Senate passed a resolution honoring Wadea’s memory, and the case has garnered national attention, with the trial now underway.