The landlord accused of fatally stabbing a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy near Chicago over two weeks ago entered a plea of not guilty to murder and hate crime charges in an Illinois court on Monday.

On October 14, Wadea Al-Fayoume was stabbed 26 times at his home in Plainfield Township, Illinois, by his family’s landlord, as reported by the Will County Sheriff’s Office.

Wadea’s mother, Hanaan Shahin, 32, also sustained over a dozen stab wounds but survived the attack.

The landlord, Joseph M. Czuba, 71, did not provide a statement to detectives, but investigators determined that the victims were targeted due to their Muslim identity and their connection to the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict involving Hamas and the Israelis, according to the sheriff’s office, CNN reported.

Czuba has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, two counts of a hate crime, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, according to the sheriff’s office.

During the hearing, Czuba appeared in a red county jail jumpsuit and pleaded not guilty to all the charges. A grand jury had previously issued an eight-count indictment against Czuba.

If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of life in prison. Judge Donald DeWilkins ruled on Monday that Czuba would remain held without bond.

Written by staff