Joseph Czuba Plainfield, IL: Suspect in Wadea Al-Fayoume, Hanaan Shahin stabbing pleads not guilty

PLAINFIELD, Ill. (WLS) — The landlord accused of targeting his tenants because of their Muslim faith pleaded not guilty in a court appearance Monday.

The judge ordered Czuba remain detained until his next pre-trial date.

The 71-year-old is accused of fatally stabbing a young boy and seriously hurting his mother who were his tenants in unincorporated Plainfield Township.

Czuba appeared in court alongside his attorneys, who argued he should be released, given his no criminal history, prior to this incident and the fact that he’s a veteran.

But because of the ongoing threat to one of the victims and to the community, the judge ruled he remain detained.

SEE ALSO: Mother of boy killed in unincorp. Plainfield stabbing asks people to ‘pray for peace’: CAIR-Chicago

Last week, a grand jury formally indicted Czuba on first-degree murder, attempted murder, battery and hate crime charges.

Czuba is accused of fatally stabbing a young boy and seriously hurting his mother, who were his tenants in un-incorporated Plainfield township.

Prosecutors said 6-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume was stabbed 26 times. His mother, Hanaan Shahin, was stabbed at least a dozen times.

Investigators said Czuba targeted them because they’re Muslim.

The boy’s father and other family members sat in the courtroom Monday morning for the arraignment.

The young victim’s uncle briefly spoke, following the hearing.

Czuba’s attorneys declined to speak. His next pre-trial date is set for January 8.