MILFORD, CT — Jury selection commenced Tuesday in the trial of 19-year-old Raul Valle, accused of fatally stabbing 17-year-old James McGrath during a 2022 house party altercation in Shelton.
Valle, who was 16 at the time, faces charges of murder and three counts of first-degree assault. He has pleaded not guilty and recently reaffirmed his rejection of a 40-year plea deal offered by prosecutors.
The incident occurred on May 14, 2022, when a confrontation between students from St. Joseph High School and Shelton High School escalated at a party on Laurel Glen Drive. McGrath, a Fairfield Prep student, was among four individuals stabbed during the altercation. Multiple witnesses identified Valle as the assailant.
Valle, now represented by attorney Kevin Smith, appeared in court dressed in a dark blue suit. Judge Kevin Russo confirmed that all plea negotiations had reached an impasse.
The McGrath family, present in the courtroom and wearing light blue in honor of James, has established a charitable foundation in his memory. Testimony in the trial is scheduled to begin on June 17.
