Suspect in ‘Mafia don’ murder displays pro-trump slogans
A MAN charged with killing the reputed boss of one of New York’s Mafia families appeared in court with pro-donald Trump slogans on his hand.
Anthony Comello, 24, held up his left palm to show the court a series of messages including “MAGA Forever” – a reference to Mr Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign rallying cry – and “Patriots in Charge”.
He had also drawn what appeared to be a large “Q”. That was believed to stand for Qanon, a bizarre far-right internet conspiracy theory which suggests Mr Trump is under attack from a “deep state” cabal backed by high-profile Hollywood and political figures.
Mr Comello, a construction worker, is accused of shooting dead Francesco “Franky Boy” Cali, 53, outside his home in Staten Island last week.
He was arrested in New Jersey and appeared in court for a hearing to organise his transfer back to New York. Mr Comello faces a charge of murder but did not enter a plea.
Before the hearing Mr Comello raised his left hand, in handcuffs, to show the scribblings he had made in blue ink. Asked by journalist way he was doing it, he replied: “Why not?”
The shooting of Cali, who was born in Sicily, was the first time a Mafia don had been assassinated in New York since 1985, and evoked memories of Mafia wars in the city decades ago.
Cali had been identified by prosecutors, but never charged, with being the head of the Gambino family, once one of America’s most powerful crime organisations. Police have not yet confirmed whether his murder was a Mafia-related crime, but Mr Comello had no known links to organised crime.
It emerged that Mr Comello had carried out several odd, politically-related stunts before the alleged killing.
A few months ago he reportedly tried to make a citizen’s arrest of Bill de Blasio, the Democratic mayor of New York, and he was also reported to have discussed a potential citizen’s arrest of Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic speaker of the House of Representatives.