NEW YORK – A grand jury has indicted the person accused of setting a woman on fire aboard a Brooklyn subway train, killing her, Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez introduced Friday.
Investigators say the unidentified sufferer was sleeping when Sebastian Zapeta, 33, used a lighter to set her clothes on fire. According to the prison grievance, Zapeta used a shirt to fan the flames.
Zapeta waived his courtroom look Friday, and will probably be arraigned on Jan. 7, when the indictment will probably be unsealed. He’ll face 4 counts of homicide and an arson cost, Gonzalez introduced.
“Today we take our first vital step in direction of pursuing justice on this case, with the grand jury having indicted Sebastian Zapeta with 4 counts of homicide. Murder within the first diploma, three counts of homicide within the second diploma, and arson within the first diploma. These are vital counts. Murder within the first diploma carries the opportunity of life with out parole. It’s essentially the most severe statute in New York state regulation, and my workplace may be very assured in regards to the proof on this case and our skill to carry Zapeta accountable for his dastardly deeds,” Gonzalez stated.
Zapeta is a Guatemalan citizen who federal officers say entered the U.S. illegally, was deported, after which returned to the U.S. illegally.
State vs. federal costs
Mayor Eric Adams’ workplace is pushing for federal costs to be added in opposition to Zapeta.
“Lighting one other human being on fireplace and watching them burn alive displays a degree of evil that can’t be tolerated,” Adams’ workplace stated in a press release.
Gonzalez responded to that Friday, saying the state costs carry a extra extreme penalty than federal costs would on this case.
“We imagine very strongly that this case belongs in state courtroom as a result of the costs listed below are extra vital than at the moment in federal courtroom, however we have now a really robust working relationship with our federal companions, and naturally will all the time do what’s in the most effective curiosity of the folks of the state of New York and town of Brooklyn, as a result of we wish to be certain he is absolutely held accountable,” Gonzalez stated. “This was a malicious deed. A sleeping, susceptible girl on our subway system.”
Gonzalez stated the killing was “intentional” they usually intend to show that in courtroom.
Grand jurors have seen video proof, Gonzalez stated, together with disturbing photos of the sufferer on fireplace.
“It’s clear that it seems that a lighter was used to set her on fireplace,” Gonzalez stated.
Victim stays unidentified
Gonzalez stated officers are nonetheless engaged on figuring out the sufferer, however imagine she might have been homeless.
“Her physique was badly burned, and so superior fingerprinting efforts are being made, in addition to superior DNA proof to establish her. We have made some progress in that space, however I’m not at liberty to get into specifics now,” Gonzalez stated.
Thursday, community leaders gathered on the F train platform at the Stillwell station in Coney Island to pray for her. They referred to as her dying a systemic failure.
“Her life mattered. Thank God they caught the person who did this. But it is not simply the particular person’s fault. It’s the system’s fault. The system failed,” Rev. Kevin McCall stated. “Homeless lives matter. She was burned up so dangerous the police couldn’t even establish who she is.”
