News

Alder names murder victim

A Madison alder identified the victim Tuesday of a homicide that occurred in her district Monday afternoon, and police are seeking a man of interest in the case.

Ald. Julia Kerr, District 13, identified Madison resident Joel Marino, 31, as the man killed Monday in an alley on the 700 block of South Park Street. Kerr said Marino was stabbed.

Marino was found on the ground in an alley between Madison Typewriter and Business Machines and Design Craft Advertising around 1:20 p.m. Securing a command post in the South District neighborhood, the Madison Police Department is currently investigating the homicide.

“The South District police staff has a lot of people working on this,” Kerr said. “They are going door to door in the neighborhood, and for that I’m thankful.”

Kerr said the police cannot rule out that this may have been a random act. According to the police report, the incident may have occurred in Marino’s home.

MPD is seeking a person of interest in the case, a man seen walking around in the neighborhood at the time of the murder. The man is described as 6-foot to 6-foot-1-inch and was last seen wearing a white hat with a red “W” on the front and a tan sheepskin jacket. The police report said he was carrying a new-looking gray backpack.

Kerr is holding a meeting today for members of District 13 at 6 p.m. at St. Mary’s Hospital in bay one of the conference center to discuss the investigation. Kerr said Police Captain Jim Wheeler would be at the meeting.

“Many people knew Joel in the community and are devastated,” Kerr said. “The meeting is a chance for them to hear about the investigation.”

People who wish to attend the meeting should enter St. Mary’s through the entrance on Brooks Street between Erin Street and Delaplaine Court.

“Joel was pretty well known on Monona Bay,” Kerr said. “This is devastating for his family and this community.”