STAMFORD, CT – The murder trial of Ellen Wink, a former Norwalk official, drew to a close Friday, more than three years after the death of her former tenant captivated the city. A superior court jury found Wink guilty of murder and criminal lockout in the fatal shooting of Kurt Lametta, ending a case that highlighted a long-standing dispute between landlord and tenant.
Jurors reached their verdict June 20 after hearing weeks of testimony at Stamford Superior Court. Prosecutors argued that Wink, who served as the city’s Republican deputy registrar, intentionally killed Lametta during a confrontation in January 2022 at 16 Nelson Ave., the Norwalk home Lametta was renting.
The case began on January 20, 2022, when Norwalk police flooded Nelson Avenue following a 911 call from Wink. She had reported shooting her tenant multiple times. Officers arrived to find 54-year-old Lametta dead inside the residence, and Wink was immediately arrested and charged with murder.
Neighbors described the commotion in the normally quiet neighborhood as law enforcement swarmed the scene. Some expressed disbelief that a dispute between two familiar faces in the community had escalated so severely. Wink and Lametta had reportedly been locked in disagreements for months, centered largely around missed rent payments and eviction matters.
Police reports and court documents detailed a turbulent relationship. Lametta was said to have stopped paying rent in late 2020, leading to multiple police responses to the address. In a previous incident, Wink was arrested for allegedly locking Lametta out of the property and disposing of his belongings.
During the trial, prosecutors presented key evidence — a video recording from Lametta’s cellphone. The footage, captured secretly by Lametta during his final moments, became a crucial piece of the state’s case. According to the prosecution, the video showed Wink firing her gun multiple times as Lametta attempted to escape, contradicting Wink’s claim that she shot in self-defense.
The defense countered that Wink feared for her safety, citing alleged threats made by Lametta. They pointed to audio evidence suggesting Lametta’s aggressive behavior and statements. Ultimately, jurors were told they might consider several defenses, including self-defense, extreme emotional disturbance, or a mental disease or defect, though the prosecution maintained that the shooting was intentional and unjustified.
Wink remained in custody on a $2.5 million bond for several months before being released to house arrest. She refused a plea deal offering a 40-year sentence, electing to take her chances before a jury.
After days of deliberation, the jury rejected the defense’s arguments, finding Wink guilty on both counts. The verdict was announced by the Stamford/Norwalk Judicial District state’s attorney. Authorities stated that Lametta’s cellphone recording played an instrumental role in convincing jurors of Wink’s guilt.
Wink will remain in custody pending sentencing. The trial’s conclusion marks the end of a legal process that has gripped the Norwalk community and shed light on the tragic consequences of unresolved conflicts between landlords and tenants.