The man accused of killing a New York City subway rider by setting her on fire has no reminiscence of “what occurred” and admitted to heavy consuming, authorities mentioned Tuesday.
Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a 33-year-old Guatemalan citizen within the United States illegally, appeared earlier than a Brooklyn decide and was formally instructed that he is been accused of homicide and arson in connection to the ugly assault on Sunday.
The sufferer, who nonetheless hasn’t been recognized, was killed whereas asleep on a stationary F prepare on the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station.
The suspect allegedly set her on fireplace with a lighter, and as soon as the sufferer turned engulfed in flames, Zapeta-Calil continued “fanning the flames with a shirt,” a prosecutor mentioned.
Zapeta-Calil later instructed police that “he drinks loads of liquor” and “doesn’t know what occurred,” the prosecutor added.
Zapeta-Calil used a translator to assist him perceive the court docket motion on Tuesday and he gave the impression to be carrying the identical white Tyvek swimsuit he had on when New York cops first walked him out of a police station in entrance of ready cameras.
He didn’t make any feedback in court docket and wasn’t required to enter a plea.
Zapeta-Calil was ordered held with out bail and his subsequent court docket date is on Friday.
Even although the sufferer has not but been recognized, the Medical Examiner has already decided her loss of life was a murder and the trigger had been “thermal accidents and smoke inhalation,” in line with court docket paperwork.
