Frank Cali murder: Suspect in killing of reputed Gambino crime family boss appears in court

Read up below for our coverage of the preliminary hearing following the murder, as it happened

Scene outside home of Frank Cali, the Gambino mob boss who was shot dead in New York

A man has been arrested in connection with the murder of reputed Gambino family mob boss Francesco “Frank” Cali, police in New York said.

The 53-year-old was shot 10 times outside his Staten Island home last week. Cali was allegedly the head of the Gambino family, one of the five Italian-American Mafia families that have historically dominated organised crime in New York and New Jersey.

Anthony Comello, 24, was detained in New Jersey and appeared at the Ocean County Courthouse in Toms River, New Jersey, at 2.30 pm.

Mr Comello wore a green and white jump suit during his appearance, which was a preliminary affair that included a reading of the charges he faces and rights.

Before the hearing, Mr Comello's lawyer indicated that his client would sign extradition papers, putting him on the fast track to be returned to New York for trial.

The case, involving a top mob boss, has captured the imaginations of observers of the mob world.

But, it may turn out that Mr Comello was not allegedly motivated by suspect business, with multiple reports noting that he was romantically interested in the mobster's niece.

Cali, according to those reports, would not allow Mr Comello to date his niece.

Follow the updates below, as they happened

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[18 March 2019 15:55 · Clark Mindock]

Hello and welcome to The Independent's live blog aead of the initial court appearance of Anthony Comello, who has been accused of killing a Gambino mob boss.

He will appear for the first time in a few hours from now.

[18 March 2019 16:30 · Clark Mindock]

When Mr Comello appears in court today it will be for a very basic and preliminary hearing.

The judge there in New Jersey is likely to read him his rights, and the charges he faces.

Then Mr Comello will either sign extradition papers or announce he will fight that effort to bring him to New York, where the murder took place.

[18 March 2019 17:00 · Clark Mindock]

Mr Comello is facing some hefty charges, but the real danger to the 24-year-old may be the his fellow inmates should be be convicted on murder charges.

The New York Post reports that there is a high likelihood that Mr Comello could be attacked in prison by individuals who want either a reward or to raise their profile among the Gambino crime family.

“Maybe there’s some guys who are wise guys in jail who will show their allegiance to the Gambinos and say, ‘We’ll take care of this guy,'” one high ranking New York Police Department official said.

[18 March 2019 17:30 · Clark Mindock]

Among the intrigue in this murder tale is the motive behind the slaying of the Gambino mob leader.

Police sources have told reporters that Mr Comello may have been motivated to kill Frank Cali after the mobster intervened to keep his niece from dating the who would become his alleged killer.

[18 March 2019 18:01 · Clark Mindock]

When Mr Comello appears in court in about a half hour, he is likely to waive extradition, his lawyer has said.

That will streamline the proceedings somewhat, and could bring him to New York State for his murder trial on an expedited track.

[18 March 2019 18:41 · Clark Mindock]

The suspect is now in court. Reporters in the room say that he displayed a tattoo on his arm, but that it is unclear what the tattoo might say.

[18 March 2019 18:42 · Clark Mindock]

Here's a photo of the suspect in court, wearing a white and green jump suit.

[18 March 2019 18:48 · Clark Mindock]

The suspect is expected to be returned to Staten Island following today's hearing.

[18 March 2019 18:51 · Clark Mindock]

[18 March 2019 18:54 · Clark Mindock]

Thanks for reading along with us as we watched this appearance. The suspect's lawyer has said he will waive extradition, and therefore be sent off to Staten Island where he allegedly murdered Cali.

That's it for us. See you next time.