Suspect indicted in killing of reputed crime boss Cali

The Richmond County District Attorney's office declined to elaborate how many counts 24-year-old Anthony Comello was indicted on, or what the specific charges were. His case will be moved to Staten Island Supreme Court, where he will be arraigned, while he remains behind bars without bail.

Comello was previously arraigned on charges including murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree in connection with Cali's killing.

Robert Gottlieb, an attorney for Comello, told reporters outside court Wednesday that he plans to plead not guilty for his client.

Gottlieb said Comello's exposure to conspiracy websites played a "significant role" in this case but would not elaborate.

"This is not some idle speculation. It's not trying to set up some legal defense," Gottlieb said. "We're just talking about the facts, the truth. There's no doubt that this case reflects the impact that words, hate words, hate speech, can have on an individual. An individual who is vulnerable."

Comello's family has been kept from their Staten Island home since his March 16 arrest while police search, Gottlieb said.

"Our hope was that by now their home would be released," Gottlieb said in court.

Gottlieb would not describe conditions of his client's confinement, but commended law enforcement for "taking the issue of safety very seriously" and said Comello's "medical needs are being met."

Cali, 53, was found dead outside his Staten Island home March 13 after being shot 10 times in the torso, the NYPD said.

Cali was believed to be the acting boss of the Gambino organized crime family, a law enforcement source told CNN.

Let's block ads! (Why?)