The man accused of killing a New York City subway rider by setting her on fire has no memory of “what happened” and admitted to heavy drinking, authorities said Tuesday.
Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a 33-year-old Guatemalan citizen in the United States illegally, appeared before a Brooklyn judge and was formally told that he’s been accused of murder and arson in connection to the gruesome attack on Sunday.
The victim, who still hasn’t been identified, was killed while asleep on a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station.
The suspect allegedly set her on fire with a lighter, and once the victim became engulfed in flames, Zapeta-Calil continued “fanning the flames with a shirt,” a prosecutor said.
Zapeta-Calil later told police that “he drinks a lot of liquor” and “doesn’t know what happened,” the prosecutor added.
Zapeta-Calil used a translator to help him understand the court action on Tuesday and he appeared to be wearing the same white Tyvek suit he had on when New York police officers first walked him out of a police station in front of waiting cameras.
He did not make any comments in court and wasn’t required to enter a plea.
Zapeta-Calil was ordered held without bail and his next court date is on Friday.
Even though the victim has not yet been identified, the Medical Examiner has already determined her death was a homicide and the cause were “thermal injuries and smoke inhalation,” according to court documents.
Yasmeen Persaud contributed.
