Man acquitted in prep school party murder trial asks for more time during new proceeding

MILFORD, CT (WFSB) - A man acquitted of a prep school murder case returned to court Wednesday morning.

Raul Valle faced a new proceeding over charges a jury could not decide on during his trial over the summer.

Back in July, a jury found Valle not guilty of murder in the May 2022 stabbing of 17-year-old Jimmy McGrath outside a Shelton house party.

But those 12 jurors couldn’t reach an agreement on a number of other charges, including reckless manslaughter and reckless assault for the three other teens Valle stabbed that night, resulting in a mistrial.

Wednesday, Valle’s appearance in court was meant to address those lesser charges that resulted in a hung jury.

However, Valle asked for more time. He said he was trying to find a new private attorney because the previous trial took a financial toll on his family.

“I’m requesting more time to seek counsel. Financially, my family took a big toll with the court proceedings and stuff, so I need more time to find counsel,” Valle told the judge.

Judge Kevin Russo gave him until Nov. 17.

The state filed amended charges last month, setting the stage for a second trial. Valle was charged again with what the jury could not agree on in the first trial: first-degree reckless manslaughter for the death of 17-year-old Jimmy McGrath; two counts of first-degree reckless assault for injuring Ryan Heinz and Thomas Connery; and second-degree reckless assault for injuring Faison Teele.

Jimmy McGrath’s family, who sat through the weeks-long trial over the summer, said they will be present for this second trial despite how grueling the first one was.

“The verdict was not justice for Jimmy and they’re dedicated to getting us justice,” said Kevin McGrath, Jimmy McGrath’s father. “I want the person that’s responsible for my son’s death to be held accountable. It’s as simple as that. There’s no vendetta against the Valle family. I just want him to be held accountable in the court of law.”

The McGrath family said it has committed to attending every day of the trial to support Jimmy McGrath’s memory.

“We’ve always been confident. We know it’s going to be a long haul. We’re in it for the long haul. Our goal in the end is to hold the person that took my son’s life accountable,” Kevin McGrath said. “They’re going to present their case, and we’re going to present our case. Hopefully, in the end, we get the justice Jimmy deserves and Raul Valle is held accountable for his actions.”

Raul Valle will be back in court on November 17th, the day the judge gave him to find an attorney.