Suspect waives right to testify in Will County stabbing, hate crime trial; closing expected Friday

JOLIET, Ill. (WLS) -- The suspect in a 2023 fatal stabbing and alleged hate crime attack in the south suburbs waived his right to testify Thursday.

Joseph Czuba's defense attorneys called two other witnesses Thursday before resting their case.

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Czuba told the judge he is taking medication for cancer, but understood his right to speak on his own behalf, before he waived his right to testify.

The prosecution also rested, after calling several witnesses, including the mother of a 6-year-old boy killed in the attack and Czuba's ex-wife.

Czuba, 73, is on trial for murder, attempted murder and hate crimes.

Prosecutors contend he stabbed the mother and son who had been renting two rooms in their unincorporated Plainfield home, killing the boy, 6-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi on Oct. 14, 2023.

The child had just celebrated a birthday, and was stabbed 26 times, according to the doctor who did the autopsy on his body.

Prosecutors say Czuba attacked his tenants because of their Muslim faith.

A DNA expert testified Thursday that blood found on a knife had DNA likely from Czuba, Alfayoumi and his mother, Hanan Shaheen.

Previously in the trial, first responders testified that knife was found in the boy's stomach.

A Will County sergeant testified Thursday that he transported Czuba on Oct. 14, 2023, from a hospital in Bolingbrook to a Will County facility in Joliet.

During the ride, Czuba was recorded in the back seat.

Jurors watched the recording, in which Czuba made comments about the protests of the Israel-Hamas war.

Prosecutors say Czuba refers to Shaheen and her son, saying:

"I was afraid for my life, my wife."
"I thought they were going to do jihad on me."
"They are just like infested rats."
"(She) didn't tell me she was a Muslim."
"I begged her to get out for three days; she would not leave."

Closing arguments are expected Friday morning.

Czuba has pleaded not guilty.