Mob-slay susp a big fan of Don
Comello shows MAGA inked on hand, will face N.Y. justice
The accused killer of Gambino crime boss Franky Cali inked “United We Stand MAGA Forever” on his hand during a New Jersey court appearance – then waved at reporters.
Anthony Comello, 24, made sure to flash his white nationalist doodles to the room despite wearing tight cuffs and being under the watchful eye of an Ocean County court officer.
Dressed in a green and white striped jumpsuit and answering “Yes, sir,” to the judge’s questions, Comello agreed to waive his extradition rights.
He’s now slated to be returned to the city, possibly this week, to face charges he fatally shot Cali, 53, outside the mobster’s Staten Island home.
Along with President Trump’s MAGA campaign slogan, Comello had several scrawls across his hand in blue ink, apparently made with a ballpoint pen, including “Patriots in Charge.”
Authorities have charged Comello with gunning down Cali in cold blood – pumping six shots into him.
The possible motive may have been anger over Cali’s niece, who Comello, a construction worker, allegedly wanted to date against Cali’s wishes.
Outside the courtroom, Comello’s New Jersey defense lawyer Brian Neary said his New York lawyer was supportive of the extradition waiver.
“Today’s proceeding was a waiver. Anthony has agreed to give up his right to a hearing in New Jersey and return to Staten Island to face the charges,” Neary said. “Anthony is resolute and willing to go back to New York to face these charges.”
When asked what was written on Comello’s hand, Neary said he didn’t see the scribbles.
“He had nothing I saw written on his hands. There were no pictures on his hands. This was a relatively short court proceeding where his rights were explained to him,” the lawyer said.
Cali was having dinner with his family inside his Todt Hill house Wednesday when a pickup truck smashed into his silver Cadillac Escalade SUV around 9:15 p.m, sending the mobster rushing outside.
Video surveillance showed Cali talking to a man who came out of the pickup and then a muzzle flash and gunshots. Cali scrambled for cover under the Cadillac as the shooter sped away.
Cali died at Staten Island University Hospital.
After he was arrested in Brick Township, cops say Comello told them he smoked pot before showing up at Cali’s house and that Cali came at him, forcing him to shoot. But cops found no weapon on Cali.