FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Stamford, CT) – Stamford/Norwalk State’s Attorney Paul J. Ferencek announced today the conviction of Robert C. Simmons for the crimes of Murder in violation of Connecticut General Statute Section § 53a-54a(a), Felony Murder in violation of Connecticut General Statute Section §53a-54c, Home Invasion in violation of Connecticut General Statute Section §53a-100aa(a)(1), and Burglary in the First Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statute Section §53a-101(a)(2).
A Stamford Superior Court jury found Simmons guilty of the September 25, 2019 home invasion murder of Isabella Mehner, 93, in her Stamford home.
At trial, the decedent’s daughter testified about how she found her mother at the bottom of the basement stairs on the evening of September 25, 2019. After an autopsy the following day, the medical examiner ruled the death a homicide.
Evidence produced at trial showed that the defendant entered the home around 5:39 p.m., and exited approximately 8 minutes later. Video evidence from the area led police to a description of the suspect, who police observed in downtown Stamford in the same clothing shown on the video footage less than 48 hours after the murder. He was later identified Simmons, and investigation determined that he had prior ties to the decedent and had been to her home in the past to perform drain work. The decedent’s injuries, largely to her head, were extensive, and found to be caused by a blunt force object.
Simmons is scheduled for sentencing on April 25, 2023.
The case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Michelle Manning and Assistant State’s Attorney Elizabeth K. Moran.