Suspect in woman's subway murder pleads not guilty

Suspect in woman's subway murder pleads not guilty

The man accused of killing a woman by setting her on fire in a subway car in New York City last month pleaded not guilty to murder on Tuesday and was held without the possibility of bail.

The background to the crime

Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a 33-year-old undocumented migrant from Guatemala, was previously charged with first- and second-degree murder and arson. CNN has reached out to the suspect's attorney for comment.

The incident

Police report that on the morning of Dec. 22, Zapeta-Calil calmly approached 57-year-old Debrina Kawam while she was sleeping on an F train approaching the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway station in Brooklyn. He used a lighter to set fire to her clothes and the blanket she was wrapped in.

Consequences of the attack

Kawam, who authorities said was living in New Jersey after a stint in a homeless shelter, died as a result of thermal injuries and smoke inhalation, according to a complaint filed in Brooklyn Criminal Court.

Security concerns in the city

This brutal attack has raised concerns about safety on subways and public spaces in New York City, particularly after several high-profile violent incidents in recent years.

Court proceedings and evidence

At an initial court appearance in December, Zapeta-Calil said he knew nothing about the incident, citing his alcohol consumption. However, according to Assistant District Attorney Ari Rottenberg, Zapeta-Calil identified himself in photos related to the attack.

Surveillance videos and arrest

Surveillance videos of the incident, which appeared to show Zapeta-Calil sitting on a bench across from the subway car and watching Kawam burn, were crucial in identifying the suspect. Hours after the attack, authorities released images from surveillance cameras and police body cameras, after which three students recognized the suspect and reported it to police. Officers found Zapeta-Calil about eight hours later on a subway train in midtown Manhattan, where he had a lighter in his pocket, according to NYPD Chief of Transit Joseph Gulotta.

Legal status and criminal record

According to federal immigration authorities, Zapeta-Calil was deported in 2018 and subsequently returned to the U.S. illegally. An arrest report listed his last address as a Brooklyn homeless shelter for men struggling with substance abuse.

Serious charges

“These are significant charges,” Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said after Zapeta-Calil was charged. "First-degree murder carries the possibility of life in prison without parole. It is the most serious offense in the New York State legal system, and my office is confident in the evidence in the case and will do everything we can to hold Zapeta accountable for his heinous actions."

This story is evolving and will be updated.

CNN journalists Mark Morales, Hanna Park, Gloria Pazmino, Sabrina Shulman and Eric Levenson contributed to this report.