Politics & Government

Accused Killer Of Mob Boss Flashes 'MAGA' On Palm In NJ Court

Anthony A. Comello, accused of shooting reputed Gambino boss Francesco Cali at Cali's Staten Island home, was arrested in Brick Saturday.

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The New York man arrested in Brick Township on Saturday in connection with the broad-daylight shooting of a reputed Gambino crime boss has waived extradition and will return to New York to face charges in the killing, according to media reports.

Anthony A. Comello, 24, appeared before Superior Court Judge Wendel E. Daniels in Ocean County on Monday afternoon. He was arrested in Brick on Saturday by the New York/New Jersey Regional Task Force at the home of relatives on Cadiz Drive, in the Baywood section of Brick.

As he sat in court Monday, Comello flashed his palm, showing writing on his hand. The words "MAGA forever" and other scribbles were visible until a court officer told him to stop, according to tweets from Steven Fabian, an Inside Edition reporter.

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Comello was charged in Ocean County with being a fugitive from justice, and after his Ocean County court hearing was headed to New York to face charges there in the killing of Cali, according to an Asbury Park Press report.

The New York Daily News has reported Cali, 53, known as "Franky Boy," was shot 10 times outside his Staten Island home after Comello smashed a pickup truck into Cali's SUV. Comello's fingerprint was lifted from Cali's car, and a blue pickup truck was seen fleeing the scene, the report said.

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NYPD Chief of Detective Dermot Shea said at a news conference that the truck was recovered when authorities apprehended Comello in New Jersey.

The New Tork Post described Comello as a "Staten Island hothead" who works odd construction jobs.

A possible motive that has surfaced is that Cali refused to allow Comello to pursue a romantic relationship with one of Cali's female relatives, the New York Times reported.

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