Mother testifies in Chicago hate crime trial

In Joliet, Illinois, a Muslim mother from the Chicago suburbs testified in a courtroom recounting a traumatic event where she was attacked by her landlord, who fatally stabbed her young son. The horrific incident unfolded when the accused, 73-year-old Joseph Czuba, allegedly attacked Hanan Shaheen and her six-year-old son, Wadee Alfayoumi, back in October 2023. The attack occurred against the backdrop of rising tensions due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, targeting the family because of their faith.

Shaheen took the witness stand during the trial, sharing how she locked herself in a bathroom and called emergency services as Czuba launched his vicious assault. The distressing call was played in court, echoing her desperate cries for help, “The landlord is killing me and my baby!” she screamed repeatedly, highlighting the dire situation in the other room where her son was being attacked.

Czuba faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder and attempted murder, but has pleaded not guilty. Appearing subdued in the courtroom, he observed the trial without speaking, while wearing formal attire. His defense team, led by public defender Kylie Blatti, urged jurors to focus on the evidence rather than the emotional weight of the case, emphasizing that critical parts were missing.

The family resided in two rented rooms at Czuba’s home in Plainfield, a suburb located nearly 40 miles from Chicago. Prosecutor Michael Fitzgerald painted a grim picture for the jurors, narrating the brutal murder scene with graphic details about the 26 stab wounds inflicted on the young boy. Fitzgerald stressed the tragic effortlessness of the attack, underscoring that the child had no chance to flee.

Shaheen’s testimony revealed that prior to the war’s outbreak, she experienced no major problems renting from Czuba. However, tensions surfaced after Czuba insisted they vacate, citing that Muslims were unwelcome, to which Shaheen responded by urging for peace. The situation escalated when Czuba physically overpowered her, brandishing a knife, and assaulting her wildly.

Throughout her testimony, Shaheen occasionally relied on Arabic translation for clarity. Though defense attorney George Lenard probed into Shaheen’s recollection of events post-attack, she struggled with precise details, sometimes appearing confused by the questioning.

In a heart-wrenching recount, Shaheen described locking herself in the bathroom, bloodied and terrified, as she heard her son’s cries from another room. The jury listened solemnly as the emotional call echoed through the courtroom, with Shaheen burying her head, visibly shaken.

First responders at the scene described Shaheen’s demeanor as stunned and trembling, as observed by Plainfield police officer Sean Kozak. The young boy’s body was found with the knife still embedded, causing an emotional reaction among the officers on site. Wadee’s passing deeply impacted the local community, renewing fears of anti-Muslim sentiment within the Chicago area amidst increasingly hostile attitudes toward Muslims and Palestinians.

Despite these tragic circumstances, the family found collective strength during the boy’s funeral, a gathering that emphasized his love for sports and Legos. In the aftermath, Shaheen met with prominent figures such as Joe Biden, underscoring the gravity of her fight for justice.

Parallel legal actions include a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Wadee’s father, who attended court proceedings along with other family members. Shaheen, guarded by her legal representation and civil rights attorney Ben Crump, refrained from engaging with the media, expressing trust in the prosecution to secure justice for her and her late son.

As the trial progresses, the community watches closely for the outcome, while Shaheen continues her courageous pursuit of justice amid the tragedy that changed her life forever.