The man charged with fatally burning a woman aboard a Brooklyn subway train has been formally indicted on serious charges, including first-degree murder and arson, authorities confirmed on Friday.
This announcement follows the recent arrest of Sebastian Zapeta, who was questioned by police after his capture. During this time, authorities say Zapeta denied knowing anything about the incident, even though he was identified in photographs and surveillance footage showing him setting the fire.
On Friday, Zapeta chose not to appear in court, and he remains in custody at Rikers Island. His official indictment will be revealed on January 7, as confirmed by prosecutors.
Additionally, authorities disclosed on Friday that the medical examiner is still in the process of identifying the victim but that there has been some progress in this effort.
In response to growing criticism of the police, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez addressed concerns about their handling of the situation. Some have argued that the police failed to assist the victim adequately. Gonzalez explained that an officer at the scene attempted to retrieve a fire extinguisher, but the severity of the smoke and flames made it impossible for him to do more.
A memorial vigil was held for the victim on Thursday at the Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue station, the site where she lost her life.
The tragic incident, which occurred early Sunday morning on a halted F train at the station, has reignited concerns about the safety of the nation’s largest public transportation network.
Sebastian Zapeta, 33, who immigration authorities say is a Guatemalan national who entered the United States illegally, was initially charged with murder and arson in a criminal complaint. These types of charges are typically the first step in a criminal case in New York, as all felony cases must proceed to a grand jury indictment before going to trial unless the defendant waives that requirement.
Authorities have stated that Zapeta approached the woman, who may have been sleeping when the train stopped, and used a lighter to ignite her clothing. He reportedly fanned the flames by waving a shirt at her, causing her to become engulfed in fire, prosecutor Ari Rottenberg said during a court appearance on Tuesday.
Zapeta then allegedly sat on a bench on the platform, watching as the woman burned, and prosecutors claim he did nothing to intervene. The woman was declared dead at the scene.
Later that same day, police apprehended Zapeta while he was aboard a train on the same subway line.
In his statements to investigators, Zapeta admitted to consuming large amounts of alcohol and claimed he had no memory of the events, according to Rottenberg.
Following his arrest, police released a Brooklyn address for Zapeta, which corresponds to a shelter that offers housing and substance abuse services.
Federal immigration authorities revealed that Zapeta was deported in 2018 but reentered the U.S. illegally at some point thereafter.
{Matzav.com}