A landlord, Joseph Czuba, who was imprisoned for attacking a Palestinian American boy and his mother, has passed away while in custody.
Recently sentenced to 53 years behind bars for the assault, Czuba was found guilty of murder, attempted murder, and hate-crime charges in the tragic incident involving Wadee Alfayoumi and Hanan Shaheen.
The 73-year-old targeted the victims in October 2023 due to their Islamic faith amidst the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Czuba’s demise occurred under the supervision of the Illinois Department of Corrections as confirmed by the Will County Sheriff’s Office.
Despite his death, Ahmed Rehab of the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Chicago office remarked that the hateful sentiments still persist.
Key evidence from the trial included distressing testimonies, a frantic 911 call by Shaheen, crime scene photos, and police footage, leading to a swift verdict by jurors.
The terror unfolded within Czuba’s residence in Plainfield, causing a wave of concern and solidarity, especially within the Palestinian community.