Defendant in Murder of Muslim Child in Illinois Pleads Not Guilty

A man from Illinois has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and hate crime for stabbing a Muslim child to death and injuring his mother during his appearance before a judge on Monday, according to court records. Police say that Joseph Chuba, 71, the homeowner where the Muslim family lived, targeted them because of their religion and in reaction to the war between Israel and Hamas. A network affiliated with NBC News in Chicago reported on Monday that George Leonard, Chuba's attorney, filed a plea on his behalf. Chuba, who did not speak in court, is accused of killing six-year-old Wadea Al-Fiyumi and injuring his mother, Hanan Shahin, 32, on October 14 in the town of Plainfield, about 64 kilometers southwest of Chicago. According to the Will County Sheriff's Office, the child was stabbed 26 times with a knife measuring up to 18 centimeters in length. Reuters was unable to reach Chuba's attorney for comment on Monday. Leonard previously stated to the media that he would not comment on the case outside of the courtroom. The Department of Justice has also opened a federal investigation into the child's death.