Anthony Comello says he shot Gambino leader because he feared for his life

But the man, Anthony Comello, gave several conflicting accounts about what happened the night the reputed mobster, Francesco Cali, was fatally shot, and investigators have been unable to corroborate many of his statements or to establish a motive for the shooting, the officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

At an initial court appearance Monday afternoon in Ocean County, New Jersey, Comello held up a palm on which he had scribbled “United We Stand,” and “MAGA forever,” as well as a circle and “USA.”

During the 15-minute hearing, Comello signed papers waiving his right to an extradition hearing “without reference to guilt or innocence.” Ocean County prosecutors said he would be transferred to New York within 10 days.

Comello was arrested in Brick Township, New Jersey, on Saturday morning and spoke to investigators for “quite some time” before retaining a lawyer, making statements that were recorded on videotape, a third person with knowledge of the matter said Monday.

He faces murder, weapons and assault charges in the death of Cali, who was shot at close range Wednesday night in front of his house in the Todt Hill section of Staten Island.

While police have said the investigation is still in its early stages, several law enforcement officials have said the killing does not appear to be mob-related.

Comello told detectives Saturday that he had a romantic interest in one of Cali’s female relatives and that Cali had told him to stay away, the officials said. He also said that he was high on marijuana at the time and shot Cali because he feared the crime figure had a gun and would shoot him.

Comello’s life may be threatened in jail because of the reach of the Gambino crime family, officials said. His lawyer said Comello “has been placed in protective custody, where he will remain while this case is pending.”

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.