FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Stamford, CT) – Stamford/Norwalk State’s Attorney Paul J. Ferencek announced that the Honorable Gary J. White sentenced Robert C. Simmons to 85 years in prison for the 2019 home invasion murder of Isabella Mehner, 93, in her Stamford home.
Simmons, age 54, was found guilty on February 17, 2023 by a Stamford Superior Court jury on charges 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).
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 surveillance 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. The suspect was later identified as Simmons, and an 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. Investigators found the defendant’s DNA underneath the nails of the victim and the victim’s DNA on the defendant’s pants.
“Mr. Simmons’ premeditated acts of extreme violence perpetrated against a defenseless 94-year-old woman warranted the court in meting out maximum consecutive jail sentences on the murder and home invasion convictions,” State’s Attorney Ferencek said. “Although the 85-year sentence is in many ways symbolic given the defendant’s age, hopefully the victim’s family will find some closure in knowing that he will in all likelihood spend the rest of his life incarcerated.”
The case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Michelle Manning and Assistant State’s Attorney Elizabeth K. Moran.