Wadee Alfayoumi death: Unincorporated Plainfield landlord Joseph Czuba accused in fatal stabbing of Muslim boy appears i court

JOLIET, Ill. (WLS) — An unincorporated Plainfield landlord accused in the stabbing death of a six-year-old boy appeared in court Wednesday.

It was just a pretrial hearing, but the courtroom was still packed with people.

Wadee’s father was joined by local faith organizations and community members as they wanted to send a message of support for the family.

All of them with a moment of prayer to start the day.

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Odai Alfayoumi, the boy’s father, also spoke before going into court, saying he’s still shaken up and trying to take this all one day at a time.

In court, Joseph Czuba appeared rather quickly as attorneys handled procedural matters.

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Czuba faces first degree murder charges and two counts of hate crime, which he previously pleaded not guilty to.

State prosecutors accuse him of stabbing six-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi to death and seriously hurting his mother because they are Muslim.

A translator helped explain what the father wants the world to learn from his son’s death.

“We must stand together, Muslims and non-Muslims and condemn all forms of hatred and discrimination,” Alfayoumi said. “My son’s memory will serve as a reminder that we must keep working to create a more inclusive society.”

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Czuba is due back in court March 7.