UPDATED Sunday, May 18 -- 12:12pm

Madison's Police Chief says that it does not appear that the Joel Marino and Brittany Zimmermann murder cases are linked.

Read the official release from the MPD website below.

Based on current investigative information, the homicides of Joel Marino and Brittany Zimmermann do not appear to be connected. However, we cannot totally rule out any connection between the cases based in part on the fact that there are similarities, such as:

-Both Victims were murdered inside their homes during daylight hours.
-Both crimes took place within a reasonably close geographic area.
-There was nothing to suggest that either victim had enemies or were at risk due to their lifestyles.

No further information will be released at this time.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Posted Friday, May 16 --- 9:00pm

The 911 Center has released several calls in the Joel Marino Murder Investigation.

Marino was killed January 28th. He was found in an alley near his home near St. Mary's Hospital.

A man told the "Isthmus" he saw a suspect in the case on March 21rst walking on Park Street. It was the same man he saw the day Marino was murdered.

The caller told the "Isthmus" he didn't believe police responded quick enough.

Friday, 911 released the call, which he made to the non-emergency police number. The caller never identifies which murder investigation or the name of the victim. Here's his call -- courtesy of the Wisconsin State Journal.

Caller: There's two guys walking up there and one's got like that coat on, and I was the person that saw them the first day.
Operator: OK. And you think that he's related to the investigation?
Caller: Well he might be. I was the witness that gave the description, and he just came by my house here.
Operator: OK. I'll have someone check the area.
Caller: Thanks.
Operator: You're welcome.

Police say the Dispatcher received his call at 4:58 p.m. and two squad cars arrived in the area within minutes. A Madison Police detective subsequently followed up with the witness about what had been observed.

We did receive other 911 calls in relation to the Marino murder, but because of their graphic nature we chose not to air them.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATED Thursday, May 15 --- 5:10pm

Press Release from Madison Police Department:

Madison Police Chief Noble Wray, and Assistant Chief Randy Gaber have invited Lou Marino to sit down with them at Chief Wray's office next Tuesday, May 20, 2008. The Chiefs would like to discuss concerns Mr. Marino has made public about the investigation into his son's tragic death. The Chiefs would also like to clarify with Mr. Marino some of the statements Mr. Marino has made reference the case.

The Madison Police Department is dedicated to continuing a meaningful dialog with Lou Marino, and his family, in an effort to find the person/persons responsible for Joel's homicide, while keeping Mr. Marino, and his family, informed of the investigation.

It is important to note that during the course of the investigation the Madison Police Department South District Command Staff has had numerous contacts with the Marino family in order to maintain open lines of communication.

In addition to the case detective, another liaison detective was assigned to the family. He met with the family, at their home, on the day of the homicide. He also attended Joel's funeral visitation. The detective spoke with Mr. Marino, 2-3 times, during the first couple of weeks, after the homicide. He also met with Joel's brother, Dominic, twice and has made numerous contacts with Joel's family friends. The detective also introduced the Marino's to the primary case detective, Matt Misener. Case Detective Misener also had contact with Mr. Marino at least once a week, if not more, as he called Mr. Marino back every time Mr. Marino called, with a question or idea.

In addition to the countless leads and tips that the case detective was already pursuing, he also took time to investigate several possible motives and suspects suggested by Mr. Marino, including investigating the following:

· The suspect was from a construction company that was working in the area.
· The suspect was connected to a theft of expensive medical equipment from a local hospital.
· The suspect was a city employee who was involved in the lawsuit in which his son was suing the City of Madison regarding a sewer construction project.
· The suspect was an individual seen in a tavern located in another part of the city.

None of the leads suggested by Mr. Marino resulted in a suspect being identified.

The detectives have made themselves available to the Marino's, at all times, and they have been completely responsive to their calls and ideas for leads.

In all cases, the case detective either informed Mr. Marino that those leads were already being pursued, or the lead detective would allocate more resources to follow up on the information given to him by Mr. Marino.

South District Captain Jim Wheeler has met with Mr. Marino, in person, twice. Once, he met him at his place of business, and the other time, he met with Mr. and Mrs. Marino, at their home, along with a representative of the District Attorney's Office and representatives of the Dane County Victim/Witness Unit. This meeting lasted over two hours, as the Marino's' questions were addressed, and answered, as appropriate, and they were given full explanations of procedures and reasons for those procedures, in regard to the integrity of the case. They were provided with phone numbers for South District Commanders and the Assistant District Attorney, with an offer to call at anytime. They were also invited to visit the South District, to see the volume of work and effort that was being completed by the detectives. To date, they have not taken Captain Wheeler up on this offer.

So far in the Joel Marino homicide investigation Madison Police personnel have:

· Sought and received information from various law enforcement agencies within the state of Wisconsin and have even reached out to departments in the State of Texas.
· Worked very closely with the Wisconsin State Crime Lab and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
· Received, and acted on, numerous tips from other law enforcement agencies.
· Contacted over 800 individuals and have developed over 80 potential suspects who have so far been cleared.
· Proactively developed suspects and checked them out.
· Generated fliers that MPD officers, and those close to Joel, posted around the crime scene and the downtown.
· Worked with Adams Outdoor Advertising in getting information about the crime up on a billboard.
· Worked with UW-Madison communications staff in getting information about Joel's murder up on the UW-Madison's website.
· Posted a full page of information in the local newspaper seeking tips.
· Contrary to some media reports, South District Captain Jim Wheeler has confirmed Joel's grandmother was contacted immediately after the crime, and she provided a detailed statement.
· Captain Wheeler has also followed up on an inaccurate media report stating officers were not dispatched to a reported sighting of a possible suspect on March 21, 2008. Dispatch records show that officers were sent within minutes of the call, but they were unable to find the subject seen by a caller. A Madison Police detective subsequently followed up with the witness about what had been observed.

Captain Wheeler has made the following statement:
"I want to let you know that we are sensitive and understanding of the Marino family and their frustration of trying to find justice in identifying and locating their son's senseless murderer. The Department is totally committed to solving this homicide for various obvious reasons to include helping to obtain closure for the family and friends of Joel Marino and also to take a dangerous person off the streets in our community. As a Commanding officer in the South district where this tragedy occurred, I have full faith and confidence in the abilities not only of the lead detective on this case but also to the women and men who have dedicated themselves to finding the perpetrator of this homicide."

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATE Posted Friday, May 9 --- 2:55pm

Update on Joel Marino Homicide
South District Commander Updates Investigation

First, I want to let you know that we are sensitive and understanding of the Marino family and their frustration of trying to find justice in identifying and locating their son's senseless murderer. The Department is totally committed to solving this homicide for various obvious reasons to include helping to obtain closure for the family and friends of Joel Marino and also to take a dangerous person off the streets in our community.

As a Commanding officer in the South district where this tragedy occurred, I have full faith and confidence in the abilities not only of the lead detective on this case but also to the women and men who have dedicated themselves to finding the perpetrator of this homicide.

So far our detectives have:
Have sought and received information from various law enforcement agencies within the state of Wisconsin and have even reached out to departments in the State of Texas

We have also worked very closely with the Wisconsin State Crime Lab and the Federal Bureau of Investigation

Many other agencies have also contacted the Madison Police Department to give us tips, which have been acted on.

We have contacted over 800 individuals and have developed over 80 potential suspects who have so far been cleared.

We are proactively developing suspects and checking them out as the investigation continues.

We have generated fliers that officers and those close to Joel have posted around the crime scene and the downtown.

We have worked with Adams Outdoor Advertising in getting information about the crime up on a billboard.

We have worked with UW-Madison communications staff in getting information about Joel's murder up on the UW-Madison's website.

We have posted a full page of information in the local newspaper seeking tips.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATE Posted Thursday, May 8 --- 9:27pm

Interview with Grandma:

"By that time he said to me 'Grandma I gotta go. I gotta Grandma' he said but I'll call you right back, and he was gone," says Joel Marino's grandmother, Betty Parman.

She says she heard the killer while on the phone with Joel just moments before he was found stabbed to death in an alley just outside his home.

"But it was a (loud noise) and there were 3 of 4 of these growling sounds and all I could think of was Halloween."

Betty is the last known person to speak with Joel, information that investigators have told her to keep quiet. She's complied until now. In her first on camera interview, Betty spoke with us demanding answers from investigators.

"Because we're frustrated," says Parman. "Because we've heard things that we're very upset about and I want to see justice for Joel."

Betty and her husband, Art, light a candle in Joel's memory every night. A gold necklace containing his ashes dangles from her neck to serve as a constant reminder of what happened. Joel's last phone call was to wish her a happy 75th birthday, something she never wishes to celebrate again.

"He said 'well Happy Birthday Grandma.' And I said 'well thank you.' And he was gone."

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATE Posted Thursday, May 8 --- 6:45pm

At 3:00 Thursday afternoon the parents of Joel Marino met with officials at the Attorney General's Office.

They want answers about their son's murder investigation.

As we've reported -- the parents of Joel Marino, Debbie and Lou Marino, are frustrated about the police investigation into their son's death. Joel Marino was murdered on January 28th.

His killer is still on the loose.

The Marino's had three main issues they wanted addressed.

First is that they want the Attorney General's office to take over the investigation from the Madison Police Department.

Second is they also want to know if DNA taken from their son's case matches DNA from the Zimmermann crime scene.

Thirdly, they want to know why a mass alert was not issued in Madison after Joel's murder. They also feel the MPD is not following up on leads well enough.

The Marino's say they got the answers they wanted and feel better about the investigation.

They say their next stop is to talk to Madison Police Chief Noble Wray.

They said they will not stop until justice is served.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATED: Sunday -- March 16, 2008

The search for clues continues in the Joel Marino murder case. Friends spent Sunday putting up new posters downtown--hoping a sketch released this week will trigger more information. A reward fund has climbed to more than $40,000. Friends continue to be motivated to find who's responsible for the murder of 31 year old Joel Marino.

Volunteers hit the State Street area hanging up posters with information about the suspect, a sketch, and information about the reward for clues. Police have said a backpack left at the scene by Marino's murderer was bought at a business on State Street and police also say the suspect is believed to live in or associate with the State Street area. The sketch of the suspect was released earlier this week and police say it did spur tips. Meantime, friends and family are doing everything they can to get the sketch out to the community. "I think our hope is to try to get the picture out there that was released up of the suspect and just to really start to get to educate people in the state street area in particular what this person might look like," said Marino's girlfriend, Amanda Miller.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATED: Tuesday -- March 11, 2008 -- 3:40pm

Madison police say they are getting new leads in the murder of Joel Marino.

Monday night police released a sketch of the man they believe stabbed Marino at his home in January.

The suspect is described as a white male, 21-32 years of age, approximately 5’10” to 6’2” in height. Suspect has an elongated, oval face with stubble, short sandy hair and a narrow forehead. Last seen wearing a white stocking cap with red/black trim and a motion “W” logo and a Carhart type Jacket with a hood.

Police also say the suspect purchased a backpack--found near the murder scene -- in the State Street area three days before the murder.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATED: Monday --- March 10, 2008 -- 8:45pm

Madison police released a sketch of the man they think killed Joel Marino.

The killer's described as a white man, 5'10'' to 6'2" in his 20s, with a thin build.

Police say he also was last seen wearing a tan Carhart type jacket.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATED: Monday --- March 10, 2008 -- 1:15pm

Madison Police released new details Monday in the search for Joel Marino's killer.

31 year-old Joel Marino was found stabbed in an alley near his home on January 28th. Marino was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Police are still searching for a specific suspect in the murder. Authorities were initially searching for a person of interest. That person of interest was then named a suspect in late February.

Police say all DNA evidence found on a hat, backpack and knife -- match the same person.

On the day of the homicide, investigators believe Mr. Marino was home all morning and was stabbed in his house between 1:00 p.m. and 1:20 p.m. In addition the probe indicates the suspect likely fled the Marino home and ran southbound on West Shore Drive. During his flight he discarded the white cap and Puma backpack in the West Shore neighborhood. The perpetrator was last seen near the intersection of South Park and Parr Streets.

The knife – which is believed to the murder weapon -- is described as an “OXO” brand paring knife with a four inch silver blade. (See PHOTO of knife below)

Police believe the backpack was purchased on State Street. They say the suspect may have been seen in the State Street area on Friday, January 25th in the afternoon.

Police believe the suspect MAY live in, or perhaps associates with, the State Street area. He is described as a white male, 5’10” – 6’2”, in his 20’s, with a thin build. He was last seen wearing a tan Carhardt type jacket.

The MPD is seeking assistance in identifying this man.

A reward of more than $40,000 is being offered for information.

Callers can remain anonymous and should phone Madison Crime Stoppers at 266-6014.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATED: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 -- 4:10pm

Police search for a specific suspect in the Joel Marino murder case. However, that suspect, originally a person of interest, has yet to be identified.

Marino was found stabbed in an alley near Park Street on January 28th. The 31-year-old was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Police Spokesman Joel DeSpain says the department has received a number of tips from the public.

He says several people have claimed to see the, now, suspect near the murder-scene and on State Street, three days before Marino's death.

"The detectives say they have new evidence and they're not sharing that with the public at this point," says DeSpain. "But, certainly, this is a person we've wanted to identify all the way along. This was a person seen in the area immediately after the crime. Now, the detectives believe this is the person who actually committed the crime."

Police are searching for a white man in his 20s. He's between 5'10" and 6'2" with a thin build. He has blond or light brown hair and was last seen wearing a tan Carthardt-type jacket and a white stocking cap with a red "W" on the front.

At this time, police do not have a sketch of the suspect. DeSpain says one may be made public, if more details about the suspect become available.

If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers at (608) 266-6014.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Update Posted Tuesday, February 26, 2008 --- 10:10am

From the Madison Police Department:

Based on new evidence in the Joel Marino homicide, the Madison Police Department now believes the person of interest they were seeking is now directly involved in the murder of Joel Marino.

The Madison Police Department describes the suspect as a white male, in his twenties and possibly in his early twenties. The suspect is believed to be between 5'10" and 6'02" and may have a thin build. The suspect is also believed to have blonde or light brown hair.

This suspect was possibly seen in the State Street area on Friday, January 25th during the afternoon hours. This suspect was last seen wearing a tan Carthardt type jacket and a white stocking cap with a red motion W on the front.

Anyone with information on the possible identity of this suspect is strongly encouraged to call Crimestoppers.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Posted Sunday, February 24 2008

"On behalf of Joel's family and friends, I want to thank all of you for coming to night. I hope that by coming here we can celebrate and remember the things we all loved about Joel," says Joel Marino's girlfriend, Amanda Miller.

Candlelight surrounded the 714 West Shore Drive home of Joel Marino Sunday night as friends and family gathered to remember a man that was taken from them almost one month ago.

"It means so much to me to see everyone here in this place. I know this house may mean something different to all of you but having spent so much time here with Joel, to me this place will always be the home he shared with me."

Coming back to the home where it all happened brought back the happy and sad times for Marino's girlfriend, but for his stepmother it it was the reality that her son would never return home.

"That makes it be I guess more real and less emotional for me you know just being here, walking into the house, it's emotional," says Joel's stepmother, Deborah Marino.

The sidewalks were lined with luminaries and a blue ribbon was tied to almost every tree to serve as a symbol for the man who cared so much for his community. And although Joel's death still remains a mystery, his life will never be forgotten.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Updated Wednesday --- February 13, 2008 --- 6:00pm

"Honestly in my heart of hearts, I do believe this will be solved. And I don't think it will be a zillion years or anything... I really feel that in my heart," Debbie Marino says.

For the first time, the stepmother of a murdered Madison man speaks out about her son and the search for his killer.

The murder happened more than two weeks ago. The body of the 31-year-old was found in an alley near his home off of Park Street.

Joel Marino's stepmother spoke to NBC-15 for the first time on Wednesday.

Debbie Marino is confident. She believes police will find her son's killer because she believes someone out there knows something. That person just needs to come forward.

"As a parent, you always have this feeling you're going to protect your child."

But January 28th, Debbie Marino could no longer protect her son.

31-year-old Joel Marino died after being found in an alley outside of his Madison home.

Debbie says, "I don't care how old they are. You don't want them to ever ... You certainly don't want them to die in an alley ... you know, all by theirself for Christ's sake."

Debbie has helped to raise Marino since his early teenage years when she married Joel's father.

She remembers him always being social, a real go- getter.

"He was like somebody who just had to have this many things going on. And he'd have that many things going on in his life constantly. And he's been like that since high school."

NBC-15 interviewed Marino last year about a project to allow stormwater runoff into Monona Bay.

Debbie says, "I was real happy that he got psyched up about that. He was real psyched up about trying to get that cleaned up."

Debbie says the family has no idea who would kill Marino.

She says only in death did she learn how many lives he touched in his short time on earth.

Debbie says, "I think you always want to think that your child is going to grow up and be independent and a good citizen and love their work and ... when that happens, you're very surprised, let me tell you."

Debbie says she comforts others by reminding them of the good times with her son.

But she says the pain is indescribable.

"It's just how your heart feels, and you can't really describe how your heart feels."

And her tears -- unstoppable.

Debbie says, "And you just feel like all of your tears are gone... and then you'll hear a song or somebody will give you a hug or something and you think I'm not gonna cry over this, you don't even think about it and tears just start coming out."

But, Debbie says she needs to stay strong to stay focused on finding Joel's killer.

"I want to find out who that person is. I want them to be held accountable. I want them to have to go through the legal system. I hope they go to prison."

Debbie says she knows Joel is now in heaven with his biological mother. She also wants to thank everyone who's been so helpful in this case -- the reward fund has reached more than $40, 000. And, friends are planning another flier distribution and candlelight vigil in the coming weeks.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Updated Friday --- February 8, 2008 -- 2:10pm

A $40,000 reward is being offered for information in the murder of a 31 year-old Madison man in late January.

Joel Marino was found wounded in an alley near his home.

Police say Marino may have been stabbed at his home and collapsed in the alley on his way to get help at nearby St. Mary's Hospital.

Police say the person of interest has been identified as a white male with a thin build.

If you have any information about this homicide, please call Crime Stoppers at 266-6014.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Updated Sunday, February 3, 2008

The search for answers continues after a 31-year-old Madison man is
killed. Friends and neighbors of Joel Marino are taking steps to try and
generate clues as to who is responsible for his murder.

Laurie Kuhn lives in Marino's neighborhood. She met Marino after moving
into the area about a year and a half ago. "We knew Joel. He lived
very close to us and it's just a really nice guy and we're just
completely shocked that this happened and very sad for his family and
you know worried about our kids," explained Kuhn.

Kuhn, her husband and their two children are volunteering to hang up
posters with information about Marino's murder and the suspect. Several
others spent their Sunday afternoon doing the same. "Everybody is just
trying to push ahead, I think now that we've gotten a little bit of
closure with the services we're really motivated to just find whoever
was responsible for this," said Bryan Bazan, the Marino family spokesman.

Police have a knife, hat, and backpack they believe belong to the
killer, but there's still not enough information to make an arrest.
Friends and neighbors want answers. They want to know who is responsible
for taking the life of their friend, so they're doing everything they
can to help police find his killer. "No detail is too small, any
information, you know whether or not you think it has anything to do
with the case, that's the kind of information we need," said Bazan.

As volunteers do what they can to help solve Marino's murder, they keep
in mind the spirit of the man that's no longer a part of their
neighborhood and community. "We liked to call him 'Genuine Joel', he
was probably one of the most genuine persons you would have ever met. I
know he would have been one of the first ones here ready to hand out
fliers if this would've happened to someone else, even if it was someone
he didn't know," explained Bazan.

"Really nice guy and it's just terrible that this happened... I just
still can't believe it," said Kuhn.

Police still need tips to help them solve this crime. If you have any
information please call Crime Stoppers at 266-6014.

A reward fund has been set up for tips leading to the arrest and
conviction of those responsible for the murder. As of Sunday there was
more than $35,000 in the fund.

Joel Marino Reward Fund
McFarland State Bank
5990 Hwy. 51 Box 7
McFarland, WI 53558

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Updated Friday --- February 1, 2008 -- 12:20pm

Madison Police released an update Friday on the Marino case, the man who was found stabbed to death in an alley near Park Street.

31 year-old Joel Marino was found wounded in an alley near his home earlier this week.

Police say the person of interest has been identified as a white male with a thin build.

A photo was also released of a jacket worn by the person of interest. The jacket in the photo is not the actual jacket worn by the person of interest, but one that may look similar. Witnesses think the jacket may have had a hood attached to it as well.

The Marino family spokesman says a meeting is planned for noon on Sunday at La Hacienda to distribute the reward posters.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Updated Thursday --- January 31, 2008 -- 4:10pm

New developments in Madison's first murder of 2008.

A reward is now being offered to help find the killer. A $30,000 reward is now being offered for information about who killed Joel Marino.

Police say he was murdered inside his home on Monona Bay Monday.

So far, at least three items have been recovered from the scene. They include an 8 inch knife, a hat and a backpack.

Friends of Marino's plan to circulate this poster in and around the downtown area.

An anonymous donor offered the $30,000 reward.

Brad Springbrum from Janesville use to work with Marino and sent us some pictures of him on the job.

He says, "Joel was one of the best EMT's you could have ever have worked with. Joel took very good care of all patients he treated, was full of energy and drive and he truly loved his job and enjoyed living in Madison."

Authorities can't rule out the possibility this murder was random, but they assure residents in that area that the neighborhood is still safe.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Updated Thursday -- January 31, 2008 -- 11:45am

A $30,000 reward is being offered for information in the murder of a 31 year-old Madison man earlier this week.

Joel Marino was found wounded in an alley near his home.

Police say Marino may have been stabbed at his home and collapsed in the alley on his way to get help at nearby St. Mary's Hospital.

Friends of Marino plan to circulate a poster in the downtown area.

Funeral services for Marino are planned for this weekend.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Updated Wednesday --- January 30, 2008 --- 10:07pm

All services for Joel Marino will be held at Lake City Church in Madison.
Marino's visitation will be held on Friday, February 1, 2008 from 3-6pm.
Marino's funeral will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2008 at 2pm.
Lake City Church is located at 4909 East Buckeye Road in Madison.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Updated Wednesday --- January 30, 2008 --- 6:10pm

An update Wednesday on the Marino case, the man who was found stabbed to death in an alley near Park Street.

Investigators have recovered items they believe belong to the person of interest in this case.

Investigators have found a hat and backpack that are being taken to a crime lab for forensic tests.

Police also confirm they found an 8 inch knife at the victim's home. The knife had undried blood on it.

Items were recovered during a search of the neighborhood on the day of the murder.

The hat and backpack were described as items worn by the person of interest when he was last seen.

Police are describing him as a male about 6 feet tall with a thin build.

Wednesday night, a meeting is being held to brief neighbors about the incident.

If you'd like to attend it will held at St. Mary's Hospital in the Bay One Conference Center at 6 pm.

Marino's family and friends have also established a reward fund for information regarding this case.

If you'd like to contribute it's setup through McFarland State Bank in McFarland.

Joel Marino Reward Fund
McFarland State Bank
5990 Hwy 51 Box 7
McFarland, WI 53558

Checks can be made payable to the Joel Marino Reward Fund.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Updated Tuesday --- January 29, 2008 -- 6:30pm

Madison: Madison Police say a downtown murder may have been a random attack. The victim was stabbed to death Monday afternoon.

The victim has been identified as 31 year old Joel Marino.

The first call came in at 1:22 in the afternoon, when employees at a nearby business found a man in this alley just off Park St.

The man was Joel Marino. He was pronounced dead at a hospital at 2 pm.

Dane County Coroner John Stanley indicates Joel was stabbed to death-but they haven't identified the weapon. "We've determined that Mr. Marino died of multiple penetrating wounds from a sharp instrument."

Joel worked out of his home for a medical supplies company called Boston Scientific.

Police say Joel was likely attacked in his home-possible by a stranger.

"We also know that this particular incident may have potentially occurred within the victim's residence. At this point we cannot rule out this was a random act. We cannot rule out that this was a random act," says Asst. Chief Randy Gaber.

The district police captain says there are occasional break-ins in the neighborhood, but little violent crime.

Local alder Julia Kerr says this is rare. "Most people consider this to be a fairly safe neighborhood."

Everybody who knew Joel Marino, a co-worker, neighbors, his lawyer-all describe him as a good guy, making this all the more unsettling.

"He really was a really decent guy," says Kerr.

Police are looking for a person of interest other witnesses spotted in the area around the time of the murder.

He's described as a white male, 6-foot-1, wearing a sheepskin coat with a white stocking cap with a W, and carrying a newer grey backpack.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at 266 -6014.

A Neighborhood meeting is set for Wednesday at 6:00pm @ St. Mary's.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 6:00 pm
St. Mary's Hospital
Brooks Street Entrance (between Erin and Delaplaine)
Conference Center, Bay One
For more information please contact Ald. Julia Kerr at 260-2661

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Updated Tuesday --- January 29, 2008 --- 10:50am

Police have released more information on the first murder of the year in Madison.

On Tuesday morning we learned officers are looking for a person of interest in this case.

As we first reported -- a 31-year old Madison man was found unresponsive in the 700 block of Park Street Sunday afternoon.

That's near St. Mary's hospital.

He was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Detectives now believe --- the crime potentially happened inside his home which is near-by.

At this point, they can't say if this may have been a *random* act.

Here's the description of the 'person of interest' in this case:

He's around 6 feet tall, last seen wearing a white stocking cap with a red W on its front, and a tan sheepskin type jacket.

In addition, he was carrying a gray, new looking backpack.

If this description sounds familiar -- call Madison police.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Update Tuesday, January 29 --- 9:00am

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Police say the death of a Madison area man found in an alley in a neighborhood near Lake Monona is apparently a homicide.

The 31-year-old man was found yesterday afternoon by employees of Design Craft Advertising. The unidentified man was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police won't say how the man died.

Neighbors say many people in the area walk, bike, jog and enjoy Monona Bay. Officials say it's not a high crime neighborhood.

The death would be Dane County's first homicide of the year. The county had eight last year.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

_________________________________________________________

Original Story Posted Monday, January 28
9:00pm Update

At 1:22 Monday afternoon, employees of Design Craft Advertising called police after they noticed a man lying in the alley next to their building.

Police arrived to the 700 block of Park Street to find a 31 year old man from the Madison area unresponsive.

He was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police are not saying how he died or if he even knew his killer. And since they do not know if this was a random murder, they can not say if the community is in danger.

For hours after the call, police combed the area looking for clues, our cameras even spotted them inside a neighboring house.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________