Connecticut teen to stand trial for prep school athlete's murder that has 'shaken' parents, schools: attorney
Share this @internewscast.com

A teenager from Connecticut is set to face trial on Monday for the 2022 murder of a lacrosse player from Fairfield Prep after a house party escalated due to alcohol consumption and a disagreement among students from different schools.

On May 14, 2022, 17-year-old James McGrath was tragically stabbed during an altercation outside a home on Laurel Glen Drive in Shelton, involving minors who were drinking that night.

Raul Eliah Valle, who was 16 at the time and hails from Milford, has been charged with murder and two counts of first-degree assault for allegedly stabbing McGrath and others. Valle was a student at St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, near Fairfield Prep where McGrath was a junior. Fox News Digital has contacted Valle’s lawyer, Kevin Smith, for a statement.

“Unfortunately, in the suburbs of big cities, house parties are very common, and kids will be kids, but certainly, a murder case like this is very unusual,” Connecticut criminal defense attorney Mark Sherman told Fox News Digital. “I’m a little bit biased, but I think it’s fair to say there probably wasn’t an intent to kill in a case like this. There … certainly might’ve been an intent to engage in a fight or to scare, to use weapons, but it’s hard to believe … that there was an intent to kill.”

Both attorneys noted that on top of the threat of criminal charges, parents who engage in social hosting and provide alcohol to minors can also face civil consequences if minors are injured at an event with underage drinking where parents were present.

A memorial for James McGrath on Laurel Glenn Drive in Shelton, CT.

A 16-year-old murder suspect allegedly stabbed Jimmy McGrath outside this home on Laurel Glen Drive in Shelton, Connecticut, where a memorial in the shape of a heart was placed outside.  (Fox News Digital)

A representative from St. Joseph’s told Fox News Digital in 2022 that Valle had been in good academic standing and had not been in any fights at school before the May 14 incident.

Valle was released on $2 million bond just days after his arrest in May 2022.

An obituary for McGrath described the 17-year-old as the “sunshine” of his parents’ life and his sister’s “best friend and confidant.” 

“Many described Jim as a wonderfully happy person with a big heart who was a loving friend to many,” the obituary states. “He loved his school, Fairfield Prep, and he excelled as an athlete in every sport he chose. He played football and lacrosse for Fairfield Prep and as a youth for Shelton and Connecticut Wolves as well. He understood the meaning of being part of a team.”

Fox News’ Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Sarasota Tuskegee Airman turns 100

Celebrating a Century: Sarasota’s Tuskegee Airman Reaches 100 Years

Lt. Col. George Hardy flew 21 combat missions during World War II.…
Russ Smith arrested for suspicion of DUI, reckless driving

Russ Smith Taken into Custody on Suspicion of DUI and Reckless Driving

Louisville Metro Police arrested a former Louisville basketball star early Sunday morning…
American Airlines plane landing.

American Airlines Plane Forced to Make Emergency Landing Due to ‘Mechanical Failure’; Investigation Uncovers Loose Parts on Another Jet

AN American Airlines jet was forced to make an emergency landing just…
Immigration authorities highlight criminal history of multiple migrants arrested in Los Angeles

LA Immigration Officials Point Out Criminal Records of Several Detained Migrants

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Federal immigration officials reported…
CATANIA, ITALY - JUNE 01: Just before the departure of the Madleen, the Freedom Flotilla vessel, a young man raises the Palestinian flag from a pedal boat as other boats fly the same flag off the port of San Giovanni Li Cuti on June 01, 2025 in Catania, Italy. Swedish activist Greta Thunberg is among those who will attempt to sail to Gaza on a boat organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), in a bid to break Israel's blockade of the Palestinian territory. Freedom Flotilla had to abort a previous journey in early May after it said its boat came under attack by drones in international waters near Malta. (Photo by Fabrizio Villa/Getty Images)

Israeli Military Vows to Prevent Greta Thunberg’s ‘Freedom Flotilla’ from Reaching Gaza as Boat Approaches

ISRAEL’S military has been ordered to do “whatever it takes” to stop…
Vladimir Putin at a video conference.

Putin Plans Intense Revenge Attack on Ukraine After Op Spiderweb, Warns US Insiders

PUTIN is preparing a “huge, vicious and unrelenting” revenge assault on Ukraine,…
President Trump aboard Air Force One, waving.

Donald Trump Criticizes Elon Musk Amid Escalating Feud

DONALD Trump called Elon Musk a “big-time drug addict” as his spat…
Squatters move into Maryland home after it sold, changed locks

Squatters occupy Maryland home post-sale, alter locks

Dealing with squatters in rentals and vacant homes has become more of an issue…
Tennessee skydiving plane crashes moments after takeoff, leaving multiple passengers injured

Skydiving Plane Crashes Shortly After Takeoff in Tennessee, Injuring Several Passengers

Footage captured of Tennessee plane crash aftermath On Sunday, June 8, 2025,…

Chilling Online Searches by Travis Decker Before Alleged ‘Daughters’ Murder Unveil Potential Escape Strategy Amid Ongoing Manhunt

TRAVIS Decker, the dad accused of kidnapping and murdering his three daughters…
LA Rioters Brandish 'Head' of Trump, Set Waymo Cars on Fire; Even CNN Admits There's a Problem

LA Protesters Hold Trump Effigy, Torch Waymo Vehicles; Even CNN Acknowledges the Issue

CNN was claiming not too many hours ago the situation in Los…
2,000 LA anti-ICE rioters takeover 101 Freeway downtown as self-driving cars lit on fire in chaotic scene

Massive Crowd of 2,000 Protesters Against ICE Overtakes Los Angeles 101 Freeway; Autonomous Vehicles Set Ablaze in Turmoil

Approximately 2,000 individuals protesting against ICE took control of a significant highway…