The man accused of setting fire to and killing a New York City subway passenger had no memory of “what happened” and admitted to drinking heavily, authorities said Tuesday.
Sebastian Zapeta-Khalil, 33, a Guatemalan national living in the United States illegally, appeared before a judge in Brooklyn to formally tell him he was charged with murder and arson in connection with Sunday’s horrific attack. It was done.
The victim, who has not yet been identified, was killed while sleeping on a stopped F train at the Coney Island Stillwell Avenue station.
Prosecutors said the suspect set her on fire with a lighter and Zapeta-Khalil continued to “fan the fire with his shirt” even after the victim was engulfed in flames.
Zapeta-Khalil later told police that he “drinks a lot” and “doesn’t know what happened,” prosecutors added.
Zapeta Khalil used an interpreter to understand his actions in court Tuesday, wearing the same white Tyvek suit he wore when New York police officers first escorted him from the police station in front of waiting cameras. It looked like it was.
He made no comments in court and was not required to enter a plea.
Zapeta-Khalil was ordered held without bail and his next court date is scheduled for Friday.
The victim has not yet been identified, but the medical examiner has already ruled her death a homicide and the cause of death was “burns and smoke inhalation,” according to court documents.
Contributed by Yasmeen Persaud.
