The family of the woman, who police said they would be burnt out and die, said Democrats wanted them to answer how suspected illegal immigrants returned to the country after committing a horrific crime.
Debrina Kawam, 57, sat by herself, believed to be asleep on the F train that stopped in Brooklyn in December, where Sebastian Zapetta allegedly walked to her and lit her light clothes.
Zapetta, a previously deported immigrant from Guatemala, sat from her car towards a nearby waiting bench, watching help arrive, according to New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tish. Kawam was so badly burned that it took over a week to identify her body.
Sebastian Zapetta will appear at Brooklyn Supreme Court in Brooklyn on March 12, 2025. Zapetta, 33, is charged with the murder of a woman who allegedly set fire to a New York City subway in December last year. (Jesse Ward from Fox News Digital)
The NYPD arrested immigrants who allegedly burned a woman on a subway train and saw her get burned
On Wednesday, Civil Rights Leader Pastor Kevin McCall spoke outside the Kings County Supreme Court in Brooklyn, reading a family statement describing Kawam as “a beautiful and bright soul that brought light to everyone around her.” McCall spoke after Zapetta appeared in a short courthouse.
The family statement was torn apart by Democrats, and millions of neglected illegal immigrants have been poured across the border due to loose immigration policies under the Biden administration.
“As a family, we wanted to know that the person responsible for this monster, this monster, was allowed back to take her from us, to return to this country,” McCall said in the statement. “How was he allowed to walk freely and commit such heinous acts?” It is a question that overwhelms our minds and the weight of our hearts, and I believe that the Democrats need to answer that question. ”
Zapetta illegally entered the United States in 2018, authorities said. He was deported and returned to the country at an unknown time.
The family said Zapetta should be held responsible for the full extent of the law and will not take a break until justice is made.
“He needs to be jailed for the rest of his life to bring our loved ones. What's more, we hope he will be deported soon and that he will not be able to step into this country again to torment other people in harm and pain.”
Civil rights leader Rev. Kevin McCall held a press conference at the Brooklyn Supreme Court after appearing in court for Sebastian Zapetta, 33, a suspect indicted for the brutal murder of Debrina Kawam on Coney Island. (Jesse Ward from Fox News Digital)
Critics warn of the “Daniel Penny effect” after a woman burns out in a New York subway car, as seen bystanders
The family also thanked Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem for calling on New York officials to deport illegal immigrants who committed crimes in New York City and across the country.
McCall himself blows up New York City Mayor Eric Adams by “playing a game about what to do with ice.” He added that he chose not to appear in court, noting that the family was very private.
Meanwhile, Zapetta walked to court wearing an orange jumpsuit and a brown jacket, with her hands behind her back. His hair looked fresh.
Andrew Friedman, Sebastian Zapetta's lawyer, said Zapetta was appearing in court for a brief meeting on the discovery that prosecutors requested a cheek swab from Zapetta.
He is scheduled to return to court on May 7th.
Watch: Illegal immigrants accused of lighting women appear in court
Zapetta pleaded not guilty to murder and arson charges in the December 22nd incident.
According to court documents, Zapetta told detectives he was in a blackout drunk during an attack on Kawam, where police said they were homeless at the time.
“Sorry. It didn't make any sense. But I really don't know, I don't know what happened, but I'm very sorry for the woman,” he is said to have told the detective, according to a transcript from his interrogation, translated from Spanish to English.
Sebastian Zapetta is said to have walked to Kawam and lit his clothes with a lighter. (NYPD)
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Zapetta told detectives he was drunk at the time of the murder and was often painted black between his home and the subway platform.
“Sometimes, when I drink and erase memories, do I not know right?” he said, according to the transcription. “When I wake up, I'm already at home and I'm already asleep. I wake up when I'm already at home. Or sometimes I wake up. I'm already at the train station…or on the train…”
Zapetta faces the greatest life sentence without the possibility of parole if convicted.
Fox News' Jennifer Johnson, Michael Lewis and Greg Wenner contributed to this report.
