ABC 7: Jury selected in trial for unincorp. Plainfield stabbing that killed Muslim boy, injured his mother

By Lissette Nuñez and Leah Hope

PLAINFIELD, Ill. (WLS) -- The jury was selected on Monday for the trial of Joseph Czuba, who is accused of fatally stabbing a 6-year-old Muslim boy and injuring his mother in a hate crime attack back in 2023.

Dozens of prospective jurors reported to the Will County Courthouse in Joliet on Monday. Twelve jurors and three alternates were chosen.

Czuba is charged with murder and attempted murder for allegedly attacking his tenants, 6-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi and his mother, in unincorporated Plainfield.

The boy died from his injuries, and his mother was critically injured.

The stabbings happened on October 14th, 2023, days after Hamas attacked Israel. Prosecutors claim Czuba, who is also facing hate crime charges, took his anger out on the Muslim and Palestinian family.

"We firmly hope and pray that Mr. Czuba will be locked up for the rest of his life to send the message that hate crime on the basis of their religion or national origin are not tolerated," said CAIR Chicago staff attorney Joseph Milburn.

Milburn came to observe the start of the trial.

SEE ALSO | Father attends remembrance for 6-year-old Muslim son 1 year after unincorp. Plainfield stabbing

"To enter someone's home and to stab someone to death 26 times due to the child's religion and race is completely heinous and one of the most gruesome hate crimes that have impacted the Muslim and Arab community in recent history," Milburn said.

The Will County judge will allow statements Czuba allegedly made to a Will County sheriff's sergeant during the trial. The conversation allegedly took place inside a police vehicle.

Czuba has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and hate crime charges.

Opening statements are expected on Tuesday morning, and the trial is expected to last one week.

READ MORE | Father of 6-year-old Muslim boy killed in unincorp. Plainfield stabbing speaks with ABC7: EXCLUSIVE