A 64-year-old former politician and landlord in Connecticut will now spend five decades behind bars after being convicted of murdering her tenant in cold blood during a bitter housing dispute.
Ellen Wink, a former Republican deputy registrar in Norwalk, was sentenced to 50 years in prison this week after being found guilty of murder and criminal lockout by a Stamford County jury.
Tenant Shot Five Times in Heated Argument
The victim, Kurt Lametta, 54, was renting a property from Wink on Nelson Avenue in Norwalk. On January 20, 2022, their ongoing tension took a deadly turn when Wink entered the property, reportedly to remove items from the refrigerator and prepare the house for sale.
Lametta objected to her presence and started recording the encounter on his mobile phone.
In the shocking footage, Lametta is heard saying:
“That’s ridiculous. Every day you’re going to come and throw people’s stuff away?”
Seconds later, Wink fires two gunshots. After a pause, she fires three more times while shouting at him, ordering him to leave the house—even though he was clearly injured and no longer a threat.
Wink then continued to yell profanities and threats at the dying man, unaware that the phone camera was still recording.
Court Rejected Her Self-Defense Claim
Wink admitted to shooting Lametta from the very beginning. In her 911 call, she claimed he “lunged” at her. Later, she told police she acted in self-defense and was suffering from extreme emotional distress.
However, jurors weren’t convinced. The cellphone video, taken by Lametta himself, showed that he was unarmed and not threatening her when the shooting occurred. This crucial evidence played a key role in securing her conviction.
Long History of Disputes Before the Murder
Their landlord-tenant relationship had been strained for months:
August 2021: Wink tried to evict Lametta after a dispute with another tenant.
September 2021: She was arrested for locking him out and throwing away his things.
November 2021: Wink allegedly cut off his heat and electricity, according to police testimony.
Investigators also revealed Wink had searched online for guns and deadly ammunition just days before the killing. She even read an article titled: “Bang: 5 Most Deadly Bullets on the Planet.”
Rejected Plea Deal and Received Maximum Punishment
Wink had the chance to avoid trial by accepting a 40-year plea deal, but she turned it down. After her conviction, Judge John F. Blawie sentenced her to 50 years—just 10 years short of the maximum 60-year term.
During the trial, prosecutors highlighted Wink’s aggressive behaviour and premeditation, calling her actions “unjustifiable.”
After being charged, Wink was fired from her role as the Republican deputy registrar in Norwalk.
