Hillside Man Convicted of Murder for Running Over Enrique Martinez Outside West Loop's Mine Music Hall

A Cook County jury last week convicted a Hillside man of murder for running down and killing a 22-year-old man on a West Loop sidewalk in 2022. The case began with a shoving match inside a nightclub and ended with Joseph Verdone driving his car onto the sidewalk in the 100 block of North Ogden Avenue.

Verdone was found guilty of murdering Enrique Martinez, who died after Verdone drove his car onto the sidewalk and struck him at full speed, according to prosecutors. Verdone dragged Martinez roughly 60 feet before the car stopped, and Martinez was pronounced dead at the scene. Surveillance video captured the attack, prosecutors said.

The killing happened outside The Mine Music Hall, 1431 W. Lake St., in September 2022. Prosecutors laid out a timeline that began before Martinez ended up on the sidewalk. Verdone and his girlfriend had been kicked out of the club earlier that night after they were connected to a fight inside, prosecutors said. Security let the couple back in briefly so they could search for the girlfriend's heels and purse, which she had left behind, but when the items couldn't be found, the two were escorted out again.

Verdone and his girlfriend didn't leave the area. They drove back to the club to try again to recover the belongings. This time, security let only Verdone's girlfriend inside, and she was removed again after what prosecutors described as acting irate. As she was being taken out, Martinez, who was standing near the entrance, made what prosecutors called "some sort of remark" to her. That exchange drew Verdone into a brief but heated argument with Martinez before Verdone drove off.

He didn't go far. According to prosecutors, Martinez and another man, who has not been publicly identified, were walking south in the 100 block of North Ogden Avenue when Verdone drove his car onto the sidewalk behind them. Prosecutors said he lined up the car and accelerated directly into Martinez. The man walking with Martinez jumped out of the way and was not hurt.

The jury's guilty verdict came after prosecutors argued the sidewalk maneuver was deliberate, pointing to the surveillance footage and the sequence of events between the argument at the club entrance and the moment Verdone's car left the street. Defense arguments at trial were not detailed in court filings released by prosecutors.

Martinez's death drew attention in the West Loop at the time. The Mine Music Hall has continued to operate in the years since the killing.

Verdone is due back in court on Sept. 22, when a judge is expected to address sentencing proceedings. Murder convictions in Illinois carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison, with the possibility of a longer term depending on aggravating factors presented at sentencing.

Cook County court records show the case moved through pretrial hearings for roughly three years before reaching trial. Martinez's family and friends have not issued public statements since the verdict.