A man accused of setting a woman on fire in a New York City subway car last month has pleaded not guilty to murder charges. Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a 33-year-old undocumented migrant from Guatemala, was indicted on charges of first- and second-degree murder and arson in the killing of 57-year-old Debrina Kawam.
The incident occurred on December 22 on an F train approaching the Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue subway station in Brooklyn. Police allege that Zapeta-Calil calmly walked up to Kawam, who was sleeping, and used a lighter to ignite her clothes and blanket. Kawam died from thermal injuries and smoke inhalation.
