Man Pleads Not Guilty to Murder in NYC Subway Fire Incident

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Sebastian Zapeta, a 33-year-old Guatemalan citizen, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and arson in the death of 57-year-old Debrina Kawam. The incident occurred on December 22, 2024, when Kawam was set on fire inside a New York City subway train at Brooklyn's Coney Island station. Prosecutors allege that Zapeta lit Kawam's clothes on fire using a shirt and then sat on a platform bench, watching as she burned. Zapeta confirmed to police that he was the man in surveillance photos and videos but claimed he did not recall the incident due to heavy drinking.

Zapeta, who entered the U.S. illegally after being deported in 2018, faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole if convicted. The court hearing, which lasted under five minutes, saw Zapeta standing with his eyes facing the floor as a Spanish interpreter whispered into his ear. His next court date is set for March 12, 2025.

This case has sparked renewed discussions about safety in New York City's mass transit system. Despite a 5.4% drop in transit crime in 2024 compared to 2023, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch emphasized that many riders still do not feel safe. In response, the NYPD plans to deploy more than 200 officers onto subway trains and platforms in the 50 highest-crime stations across the city.

Man Pleads Not Guilty to Murder in NYC Subway Fire Incident

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