Suspect in lethal NY subway fire arraigned on murder charge

A male accused of setting a practice fire that killed a New York Town subway driver in March instructed police he was on the coach, had a disposable lighter and established paper on fireplace but not the “big fire,” in accordance to court docket paperwork introduced after his arraignment Saturday on murder and arson expenses.

Nathaniel Avinger was also noticed on subway station movie going for walks away from the front of the educate where by the fire was situated, and then exiting the station, according to court docket files, which determined him as 49 many years previous. Police on Friday said he was 50.

A information was still left trying to find comment with Avinger’s legal professional, Marnie Zien from The Legal Help Society.

Detectives joined Avinger to the lethal blaze just after he was arrested Wednesday, accused of groping a transit worker in Brooklyn, authorities claimed. The New York Submit noted Avinger was charged in that situation with forcible touching and 3rd-diploma sexual abuse and was awaiting arraignment in that case. He’s been charged with 1 depend of 2nd-degree murder and 1 rely of fourth-degree arson in link with the fatal subway fireplace.

Avinger, who is scheduled to surface once more in court on Dec. 23, is accused of setting fire to a shopping cart aboard a No. 2 train as it pulled into the 110th Avenue station in Harlem, in the vicinity of Central Park, close to 3 a.m. on March 27.

The motorman, 36-year-outdated Garrett Goble, died just after he and a different transit personnel served passengers escape to protection, officers stated. His human body was uncovered on the tracks. Several people had been damage.

Fires have been also reported at about the identical time at 3 nearby stations — 86th Street, 96th Road and 116th Road, officials explained.

The New York Post reported Avinger was not long ago charged with setting a March 11 blaze outdoors of a Columbia College Computer Audio Middle on 125th Street.