Illinois jury nears deliberation in killing of Palestinian-American boy
The Brief
Testimony has concluded in the murder trial of Joseph Czuba, who is accused of killing 6-year-old Wadee Al Fayoumi and injuring his mother.
Prosecutors say the attack was racially motivated, citing Czuba's statements about fearing Muslims.
Closing arguments could take place as early as Friday, with jury deliberations possibly beginning before the weekend.
PLAINFIELD, Ill. - Testimony has wrapped up in the Will County trial of 73-year-old Joseph Czuba, who is charged with the fatal stabbing of 6-year-old Wadee Al Fayoumi and the critical wounding of the boy's mother, Hannan Shaheen.
What we know
Prosecutors say Czuba attacked the boy and his mother in October 2023, just days after the Hamas attack on Israel, because they are Palestinian-Americans.
The two were tenants living in Czuba's Plainfield home.
In a video played in court Thursday, Czuba is seen in a police car speaking—unprompted—about the attack. He claimed he feared for his life.
"I was afraid for my wife. I was afraid they were going to do Jihad on me," Czuba said.
Czuba continued speaking to a Will County deputy sheriff, saying, "I was just trying to help her out because she couldn't afford a house… She didn't tell me she was a Muslim… She was a trained fighter. Let me tell you she was a problem. They are like infested rats."
The mother and son had been living at the home for more than two years without incident.
Czuba's wife testified that he became withdrawn and angry after watching news coverage of the Hamas attack.
In the video played in court, Czuba said, "I can't believe all these protests of people supporting the PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization). It's so evil. It's like Nazis."
Meanwhile, forensic experts testified that blood and DNA from Czuba and the victims were found on the knife allegedly used in the attack.
Czuba waived his right to testify in his own defense. His attorneys called three sheriff's deputies to the stand in an effort to clarify some of the evidence.
What's next
Closing arguments in the case could take place as soon as Friday. If that happens, the jury may begin deliberations before the weekend.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Elon Musk Took A $113 Billion Hit Over Trump's DOGE Mission: Calls It 'Worth It'
A fan page of Vice President JD Vance asked Americans on social media whether they would thank Elon Musk after the Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) CEO reportedly lost $113 billion while leading government efficiency efforts. Musk responded Tuesday with a simple 'Worth it' on X. What Happened: The fanpage wrote: 'Elon Musk lost 25% of his fortune, approximately $113 billion, while leading efforts to streamline the U.S. government. Are you willing to give Elon Musk a heartfelt 'thank you'? A. Hell yes B. No.' Bloomberg and Forbes data confirm Musk's net worth dropped approximately $113-121 billion during his 2025 Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) role. Tesla's stock price suffered as investors questioned Musk's divided attention between his companies and government work. Trending: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — The wealth decline stems from multiple factors beyond Musk's political involvement. Market competition and potential Trump administration tariffs have pressured Tesla's valuation. Tesla stock represents Musk's primary wealth source, making the company's performance critical to his net worth. Why It Matters: The exchange comes amid escalating tensions between President Donald Trump and Musk. Trump has privately called Musk a 'big-time drug addict' in conversations with allies, according to The Washington Post. The feud intensified after Musk criticized Trump's budget legislation and suggested impeachment, while Trump threatened to cancel federal contracts with Musk's companies. The dispute has implications for Musk's SpaceX and Tesla operations, particularly regarding federal contracts. Trump withdrew NASA administrator nominee Jared Isaacman, Musk's preferred candidate, further straining relations between the billionaire and the administration. Read Next: Are you rich? Here's what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy. These five entrepreneurs are worth $223 billion – they all believe in one platform that offers a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends Photo courtesy: Joshua Sukoff / Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Elon Musk Took A $113 Billion Hit Over Trump's DOGE Mission: Calls It 'Worth It' originally appeared on
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
RFK Jr.'s newest CDC vaccine panel includes critics of COVID shots, lockdowns
The Brief U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has replaced the government's vaccine advisory panel with eight new appointees. The new members include vocal critics of COVID-19 vaccines and pandemic lockdowns, such as Dr. Robert Malone and Dr. Martin Kulldorff. Public health groups have raised concerns that Kennedy's changes could undermine long-standing vaccination policies. NEW YORK - U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has named eight new vaccine policy advisers to replace the panel that he abruptly dismissed earlier this week. His selections include a scientist who researched mRNA vaccine technology and transformed into a conservative darling for his criticisms of COVID-19 vaccines, and a leading critic of pandemic-era lockdowns. RELATED: RFK Jr. ousts entire CDC vaccine panel Kennedy made the announcement in a social media post on Wednesday. The backstory Kennedy's decision to "retire" the previous 17-member panel was widely decried by doctors' groups and public health organizations, who feared the advisers would be replaced by a group aligned with Kennedy's desire to reassess — and possibly end — longstanding vaccination recommendations. Dig deeper The new appointees to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices include Dr. Robert Malone, the former mRNA researcher who emerged as a close adviser to Kennedy during the measles outbreak. Malone, who runs a wellness institute and a popular blog, rose to popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic as he relayed conspiracy theories around the outbreak and the vaccines that followed. He has appeared on podcasts and other conservative news outlets where he's promoted unproven and alternative treatments for measles and COVID-19. He has claimed that millions of Americans were hypnotized into taking the COVID-19 shots. He's even suggested that those vaccines cause a form of AIDS. He's downplayed deaths related to one of the largest measles outbreaks in the U.S. in years. Other appointees include Dr. Martin Kulldorff, a biostatistician and epidemiologist who was a co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration, an October 2020 letter maintaining that pandemic shutdowns were causing irreparable harm. Dr. Cody Meissner, a former ACIP member, also was named. Big picture view The committee, created in 1964, makes recommendations to the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC directors almost always approve those recommendations on how Food and Drug Administration-cleared vaccines should be used. The CDC's final recommendations are widely heeded by doctors and determine the scope of vaccination programs. The Source The Associated Press contributed to this report. The information in this story comes from a social media announcement made by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday, in which he introduced eight new members to the federal vaccine advisory panel. This story was reported from Los Angeles.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Leavitt slams ‘stupid question' about Trump's threat to protesters
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt slammed a question from a reporter on Wednesday when asked if President Trump would support having 'peaceful' protesters at the Saturday military parade in Washington, D.C. 'So if there were peaceful protests on Saturday for the military parade, President Trump would allow that,' NOTUS's Jasmine Wright asked on Wednesday during the White House press briefing. 'Of course the president supports peaceful protests. What a stupid question,' Leavitt said in response. Moments prior, Wright had mentioned Trump's warning to potential protesters who were planning to be at the massive Army parade in the nation's capital, saying they would be met with 'very big force.' 'If there's any protester wants to come out, they will be met with very big force. For those people that want to protest, they will be met with very big force. And I haven't even heard about a protest,' Trump said on Tuesday. Wright asked Leavitt if she could 'clarify what kind of protest President Trump does support or find acceptable.' The 'president absolutely supports peaceful protests. He supports the First Amendment. He supports the right of Americans to make their voices heard,' the White House press secretary said. 'He does not support violence of any kind. He does not support assaulting law enforcement officers who are simply trying to do their jobs,' Leavitt added, referring to the ongoing protests in Los Angeles. The protests in the City of Angels began after Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids at several businesses. The demonstrations spread around federal buildings where those detained are believed to be held. In response, Trump deployed National Guard troops and the Marines to help halt the protests, decisions that were opposed by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) and California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D). 'It's very clear for the president what he supports and what he does not. Unfortunately for Democrats, that line has not been clear and they've allowed this unrest and this violence to continue, and the president has had to step in,' Leavitt said on Wednesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
