JOLIET, Ill. (WLS) — Jury deliberations began Friday in the trial of a man accused of killing a six-year-old boy in an alleged hate crime in unincorporated Plainfield.

Joseph Czuba waived his right to testify. Thus, closing arguments took place Friday morning in the hate crime case that’s caught national attention.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

The Plainfield landlord is accused of killing six-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi and seriously injuring the boy’s mother.

The 73-year-old is charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, and also faces hate crime charges.

Prosecutors said he attacked his two tenants in 2023 over their Muslim faith.

The young boy had just celebrated a birthday and was stabbed 26 times, according to the doctor who did the autopsy.

The prosecutor showed the very knife used to kill Wadee in court Friday morning during the state’s closing arguments, replaying the 911 call the boy’s mother, Hanan Shaheen, made begging for help.

The prosecutor also showed images of her injuries as she fought for her life and fought to save her son’s life.

A Will County sergeant who transported Czuba that day testified Thursday.

Recordings of Czuba in the backseat were played in court. He could be heard making comments about the Israel-Hamas war, 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.”

Czuba has pleaded not guilty.

After closing arguments, the jury began their deliberations. Muslim organizers plan to speak following Friday’s hearing as well as Wadee’s father.