Family of fatally stabbed Fairfield Prep student frustrated by latest delay in Raul Valle case
Arguments were expected on Friday over whether Raul Valle can be retried on lesser charges in the deadly stabbing Jimmy McGrath. Instead, the judge agreed to postpone those till next month at the request of the defense.
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The parents of Jimmy McGrath left Milford Superior Court on Friday visibly frustrated after another continuance in the case against Raul Valle.
The McGraths had expected to hear arguments over whether Valle can be retried on lesser charges in the deadly stabbing of their 17-year-old son. Instead, the judge agreed to postpone those till next month at the request of the defense.
“Every time we come into a court, and they're not prepared, it's disgusting. It's disrespectful to us,” Kevin McGrath said after Valle’s brief appearance.
The delay comes as next week will mark four years since a fight between two groups of high school students broke out at a house party in Shelton on May 14, 2026.
Jimmy McGrath, a Fairfield Prep student, was killed while three Shelton teens suffered stab wounds.
“To my family, to my wife, to my daughter, to our community, it's like it happened yesterday,” McGrath stated.
Valle was 16 at the time but charged as an adult. The case went to trial last year but in July, only ended in a partial verdict. Jurors acquitted Valle of murder, intentional manslaughter and intentional assault but deadlocked on the lesser-included reckless charges, leading the judge to declare a mistrial on those.
The prosecution immediately filed to retry Valle on reckless manslaughter and reckless assault charges.
Last month, Valle’s current attorney, Darnell Crosland, who began representing Valle in January, filed a motion to dismiss the case, claiming it violates double jeopardy.
“If the issues are exactly the same—and they are here—then you can't then have another trial on the same issues,” Crosland told reporters outside the courthouse. “If the jury found not guilty on the murder charge, which is intentional killing, can they then bring a charge of reckless? That doesn't square well with the law because you can't be found not guilty on an intentional and unjustified on a reckless.”
Assistant State's Attorney Marc Durso filed a response to Crosland's motion this week countering his points. Durso intended to argue his side Friday, but Crosland said he never received the state's memorandum and asked for a continuance.
The judge set a new date of June 1 to hear arguments. But whatever decision is made will likely be appealed. That means it could be a while before there's any final resolution.
McGrath reiterated that regardless of that, his family will be there every step of the way.
“Our fight is until we get justice. Justice is not some easy plea deal. The person who took my son's life deserves to spend time in jail,” McGrath said.
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