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An Illinois landlord who fatally stabbed a six-year-old Palestinian-American boy and severely wounded his mother has been sentenced to 53 years in prison.
Joseph Czuba, 73, was convicted for murder and hate crimes for the death of Wadee Alfayoumi, and the wounding of his mother in 2023 shortly after the start of the Israel-Gaza war.
The family had been tenants in Czuba's home in Plainfield, roughly 40 miles from Chicago. Prosecutors said he targeted them over their Muslim faith.
Czuba had pleaded not guilty, but jurors convicted him after deliberating for less than 90 minutes.
The trial included testimony from Alfayoumi's mother, who described the encounter in harrowing detail, and from Czuba's now ex-wife, who said he had grown agitated by the war.
English (US) ·