Illegal migrant indicted on murder charges after woman is burned to death on subway

An illegal immigrant accused of burning a New York subway rider to death on Sunday has been charged with murder.

Sebastian Zapeta, 33, is charged with one count of first-degree murder, three counts of second-degree murder and one count of arson after a woman was set on fire and burned to death on a subway train in Brooklyn, New York. The indictment was filed Thursday and will be unsealed at a Jan. 7 sentencing hearing.

Zepat’s attorney told the judge that he spoke with his client on Friday and asked for permission to waive his client’s appearance. The judge granted the request.

Zipta is a a previously deported immigrant from Guatemala.

Sebastian Zapeta, accused of setting a woman on fire on a subway train in New York, appears in court Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Curtis means via Poole)

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