Jury in Raul Valle murder trial to get case Thursday after closing arguments
During the trial, the jury heard from 26 witnesses over the course of nine days.
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Closing arguments are set for Thursday morning in the trial of Raul “Lito” Valle, the former St. Joseph High School student accused of stabbing four Shelton teens—one of them fatally—at a house party. The jury should then get the case in the afternoon after instructions from Judge Shari Murphy. If there’s no verdict by the end of the day, jurors will return on Monday to continue deliberations.
They must decide whether or not Valle is guilty of murder and three counts of assault on the night of May 14, 2022. Valle was 16 at the time, but per state law, had his case transferred to adult court due to the murder charge. Jimmy McGrath, 17, was a standout athlete at Fairfield Prep when he was killed.
During the trial, the jury heard from 26 witnesses over the course of nine days. All but one testified for the prosecution. Many of the state’s witnesses were at the party on Laurel Glen Drive three years ago and admitted to underage drinking that night. Two of Valle’s friends from St. Joe’s who were with him that night, Jack Snyder and Tommy Dasilva, also took the stand against him in exchange for immunity. The jury will weigh all of their accounts against the defendant's since Valle was the sole witness in his defense.
Valle, now 20, testified he was “terrified” that night after a fight broke out, and he found himself on the ground getting punched and and kicked by a group of Shelton High students. He told the jury he pulled the knife out of his pocket because he thought it was the only thing that would help him get out of the situation. Ryan Heinz, Tommy Connery and Faison Teele suffered stab wounds. Valle denied aiming for anybody and said he was just “flailing” his arm around to get people off him. He testified that after he escaped the fight and went to Snyder’s SUV, he returned because he thought Dasilva needed help. It was at that point McGrath was stabbed in the heart.
Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Marc Durso pointed to several inconsistencies in Valle’s version of events compared to other peoples’ recollections, as well as video that showed a portion of the fight. Durso said the footage shows Dasilva had already been pushed into the street when Valle returned to the lawn with the knife. Durso also said McGrath, who other witnesses testified wasn’t part of the brawl that night, was stepping back when he was stabbed.
The jury will have to determine whether Valle intended to kill or harm anyone that night. If they find Valle guilty of murder, he faces up to 60 years in prison. If they find Valle not guilty of murder, it’s possible the judge will instruct the jury to consider a lesser charge. First-degree manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.
MORE COVERAGE: Defense rests after Raul Valle recalls Shelton fight that led to teen’s stabbing death
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