Illegal charged with lighting sleeping woman on fire pleads not guilty

Sebastian Zapeta, the Guatemalan man accused of lighting a sleeping subway rider on fire and watching her burn to death on a Brooklyn subway car, pleaded not guilty to murder and arson charges Tuesday.

The 33-year-old was indicted on one count of first-degree murder, three counts of second-degree murder, and arson.

Zapeta listened through an interpreter and did not speak during the 4-minute hearing. His lawyer, at the end, said his client needed medical attention, but additional details were not immediately available.