Naples, Kekko's double life, from a jealous attack on a disabled man to his "loyalty" to Bosti Jr.

Naples – One "like" too many on TikTok, a punitive expedition disguised as a roadside robbery, and the looming shadow of the Third Component of the Secondigliano Alliance. The latest glimpse of crime and judicial news, linking the brutal violence of the streets of San Carlo all'Arena with the summits in the prison cells of Poggioreale, revolves around the figure of 21-year-old Francesco Matteo, aka "Kekko."

The young man, behind bars for two days, is charged with serious assault, illegal possession of a weapon, and robbery: he opened fire on EM, 29, a neighborhood boy who had already had a leg amputated in an accident and is now at real risk of being confined to a wheelchair. But the name "Kekko" is above all a common thread running through the more than 400-page precautionary order signed by the investigating judge against the Porticati gang, led by their offspring Patrizio Bosti Jr.

The Shadow of the Clan and the Pact in the Avellino Pavilion

For the District Anti-Mafia Directorate of NaplesFrancesco Matteo is no lone wolf. In the pages of the precautionary warrant that sent young boss Patrizio Bosti Jr. and five other accomplices to prison last month, he is described as:
"...internal to the Porticati Group, participant, armed wing of the group, responsible for concealing weapons, as well as engaged in further criminal activities instrumental to supporting the members in prison, responsible for controlling the territory."

A blood tie and a bond with the Camorra. Matteo is, in fact, the direct nephew of Ettore Esposito, a prominent figure in the Contini clan. And it is precisely this distinguished kinship that the Flying Squad's wiretaps point to. It was 2022 when, during a recorded conversation in the Avellino Pavilion (cell 59) of Poggioreale, the young boss Patrizio Bosti Jr. recounted the meeting with the elderly boss, during which the young "Kekko" allegedly swore absolute loyalty to the family line. In the account intercepted by investigators, Bosti Jr. recalls the old boss's words and his nephew's response:
“…he told me, ‘You have to get out of here.’ I said, ‘I’m telling you, I’m getting out of here… I’M WITH YOU!’”
An affiliation that would have continued under the wing of his father, Felice Matteo, a man burdened by numerous previous convictions for brawling, fraud and receiving stolen goods, also believed to be close to the Continis.

"I'm eating fruit": the investigating judge says there is no serious evidence.

While the DDA paints the profile of a Camorra soldier ready for anything, the preliminary investigations judge's assessment abruptly dampens the accusations of mafia association (head 1 of the major investigation that led to the arrest of six young Camorra leaders). The investigating judge writes in his order:

"This judge believes that, given the current state of the case, the body of evidence acquired against Matteo Francesco does not allow the constituent elements of his participation in the mafia organization to be considered integrated with the necessary degree of seriousness, precision, and consistency."

According to the judge, the photo of a Rolex watch and bundles of cash sent via WhatsApp on March 22, 2022, to accomplice Giorgio Marasco ("Do you need it?") demonstrates only an "occasional availability of goods of suspicious origin," not a stable connection to the clan. Wiretaps on the handling of weapons also paint a picture of marginalization, according to the court's argument. On September 2, 2022, Antonio Raia called Matteo regarding a "tarantella" (a high level of tension) in the neighborhood, asking where to find "that thing," a gun. "Kekko" responded perfunctorily: "Come get the stuff in the saddle."
But when the discussion gets down to business, Matteo distances himself. In subsequent wiretaps, while the companions decide how to proceed, the twenty-one-year-old cuts the conversation short:
«I'm eating fruit... let's see.»

An attitude that the investigating judge brands as "environmental and episodic contiguity", not sufficient to secure the charge of mafia association.

The divisive "like" and the ambush at San Carlo all'Arena

The Anti-Mafia Prosecutor's Office's documents thus lead us to the night of May 25th, when Francesco Matteo's impulsive violence unleashed itself in the park on Via Nicola Nicolini. The victim, encouraged by criminal lawyer Francesco Petruzzi, overcame his initial resistance and broke the veil of silence. The reason for the wounding? A social media like on Matteo's girlfriend's TikTok profile.

It was 3 a.m. EM had just parked his Mercedes when he received a phone call from Matteo: "I need to talk to you, come down to the park." The twenty-one-year-old was waiting for him along with an as-yet-unidentified accomplice. The attempt to clarify matters, already initiated via Instagram and video call, degenerated in a matter of seconds. Matteo pulled out his gun and fired, hitting his rival in the left leg and fracturing his tibia. He then ripped a Rolex Daytona worth €40,000 from his wrist (it was only returned later after a tense negotiation between the families).

After a thorough investigation by the Homicide section of the Flying Squad, led by director Mario Grassia and deputy commissioner Silvia Marino, “Kekko” Matteo gave in and presented himself at the police station to confess:
"I asked him to meet me outside his house, and the argument got heated. I didn't like the way he responded. So I reacted instinctively, but now I'm sorry for what happened."

The Flying Squad officers are now hunting for the accomplice and the murder weapon, while Matteo awaits preliminary hearing in Poggioreale prison. The same prison where, two years ago, he pledged his loyalty to the gang's leaders.

 The prefect of Naples strengthens surveillance in the area

Meanwhile, today the Prefect of Naples , Michele di Bari, ordered increased law enforcement surveillance and control in the Arenaccia neighborhood. The Prefect emphasized "the rapidity of the investigations conducted by the State Police, expressing his deep appreciation for the excellent work carried out with professionalism and competence. The institutions are responding firmly to unacceptable criminal dynamics, especially when they affect the most vulnerable segments of the population. Law enforcement agencies continue their assiduous efforts in the area and surrounding neighborhoods, aimed at preventing and repressing crime and all illegal activity, to increase citizens' perception of security and the presence of the State. The matter will be the subject of detailed investigation by the Provincial Committee for Public Order and Security."