Man accused of killing a woman on NYC subway by setting her on fire pleads not guilty to murder
CNN
The man accused of killing a woman by setting her on fire on a New York City subway car last month pleaded not guilty to murder charges Tuesday and was ordered held without bail.
The man accused of killing a woman by setting her on fire on a New York City subway car last month pleaded not guilty to murder charges Tuesday and was ordered held without bail. Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a 33-year-old undocumented migrant from Guatemala, was previously indicted on charges of first- and second-degree murder and arson in the killing. CNN has reached out to his lawyer for comment. Police say Zapeta-Calil calmly walked up to 57-year-old Debrina Kawam on the morning of December 22, as she was sleeping on an F train approaching the Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue subway station in Brooklyn and used a lighter to ignite her clothes and the blanket that was wrapped around her. Kawam, who authorities say resided in New Jersey after a stint in New York’s shelter system, died by homicide caused by thermal injuries and smoke inhalation, according to a complaint filed in Brooklyn Criminal Court. The attack has stoked fears among New Yorkers about safety on subways and in the city at large, after several high-profile, violent incidents in recent years. During an initial court appearance in December, Zapeta-Calil claimed to have no knowledge of the incident, noting his alcohol consumption. Zapeta-Calil did identify himself in photos related to the attack, according to Assistant District Attorney Ari Rottenberg.
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