Latest news with #RaulValle
Fox News
17 hours ago
- Fox News
Preppy party murder suspect's lawyer says client's testimony key to acquittal
The attorney for the man who stood accused of murdering suburban Connecticut prep school lacrosse player James "Jimmy" McGrath in 2023 revealed the critical key to his client's acquittal. Raul Valle, 20, took the stand in his own defense, which attorney Kevin Smith said was necessary for proving his client's innocence. "He was going to have to take the stand in a self-defense case when you are telling folks you felt a certain way, and you were in such danger," Smith told WFSB. "I can think of few instances where there would be enough other evidence to put it on and say you had a self-defense claim." "Nobody ever wants to have to take another life," Smith said. "Mr. Valle certainly never wanted to do that. I think the evidence is clear." Smith noted that, like Valle, he was relieved that the trial had finished. He said that he lost 15 pounds during the ordeal. The trial lasted eight days, and was followed by two-and-a-half days of jury deliberation. He told his client to keep a low profile after the acquittal. "I've told him to avoid public places where he may be subjected to some behavior he doesn't need, doesn't need people harassing him, keeping a low profile, which he did during the trial," he stated. On Wednesday, Valle was found not guilty of first-degree murder in the stabbing death of McGrath, which stemmed from a booze-fueled party in May 2022 where a brawl broke out between 25 students on the lawn of a suburban Connecticut home. He was also cleared on charges of intentional manslaughter and intentional assault. The jury deadlocked on reckless manslaughter and reckless assault charges, and a partial mistrial was declared. Valle could be retried on those charges. Valle was 16 at the time of the stabbing, and McGrath was 17. Jury foreman Jim Stuhlman said ultimately, prosecutors didn not provide enough evidence to prove their case. He said the jury spent very little time deliberating on whether Valle had acted in self-defense because the jury believed that the state had failed to prove that he intended to kill McGrath. "There was so much inconsistencies and contradictions," he continued. "Not everyone will be happy with the conclusion, we weren't happy we couldn't find an agreement on the final counts, but we did everything we could have to get as far as we did."
Fox News
4 days ago
- Fox News
Prosecution's 'inconsistencies' in prep school murder trial led to suspect's acquittal: jury foreman
The foreman of the jury in the murder trial of Raul Valle, who was acquitted Wednesday of murdering a 17-year-old prep school lacrosse player at a booze-fueled high school party, slammed the state for lacking evidence to support its case. Valle was accused of stabbing James "Jimmy" McGrath to death during a May 14, 2022 brawl in a highbrow Connecticut suburb. McGrath attended Fairfield College Preparatory Academy, and Valle attended nearby St. Joseph's High School. Jim Stuhlman was the 10th juror and foreman in the trial. He read aloud Valle's not guilty verdict, sparing the now 20-year-old from up to 60 years in prison. "They just didn't have enough to prove the case," Stuhlman told News 3. He said the jury spent very little time deliberating on whether Valle acted in self-defense because the jury believed that the state failed to prove that he intended to kill McGrath. "There was so much inconsistencies and contradictions," he continued. "Not everyone will be happy with the conclusion, we weren't happy we couldn't find an agreement on the final counts, but we did everything we could have to get as far as we did." The jury acquitted Valle on murder, intentional manslaughter and intentional assault charges. It remained hung on lesser included charges of reckless manslaughter and reckless assault, and a partial mistrial was declared. "It just came down to the intent, recklessness, what a reasonable person would do, those kinds of things," Stuhlman said. "We went according to the instructions, followed the law, we did what we were supposed to do." Fox News Digital confirmed Thursday that the state of Connecticut is already taking steps to retry Valle on those charges. Meanwhile, the McGrath family is seeking recourse through a myriad of civil lawsuits against third parties who they say were involved in the night's activities, and parents who allegedly provided them with alcohol. "We sued the individuals and their parents, the homeowners where the two fights broke out at Lazy Brook and Laurel Glen have both been sued," McGrath family attorney Michael Rosnick told Fox News Digital. On the night of the incident, Valle and others were involved in a fight at a home on Lazy Brook Road in Shelton. They then drove to the second party on Laurel Glen Drive. At some point, one of Valle's friends allegedly gave him a knife, which was used during the brawl to stab McGrath. "The cases have been consolidated so that there will be one civil trial as opposed to multiple civil trials," Rosnick said. The McGraths are also suing one of the teenager's parents, who are accused of providing alcohol to the minors. Other parties in the lawsuit include the homeowners of the Laurel Glen Drive property, along with their son, who was allegedly hosting the party, court records show. Rosnick said that now that the criminal trial is finished, the civil proceedings will begin. "We were very mindful to be respectful of the state attorney, its autonomy and its own investigation, and to not do anything that could jeopardize anything in the criminal trial," he said. "Now that the criminal trial is over, we're going to be much more aggressive in our pursuit of justice against all the responsible parties." The state's attorney's office did not immediately return a comment request.
Fox News
5 days ago
- Fox News
Slain prep school lacrosse player's father 'astonished' after murder suspect acquitted in stabbing case
The father of a slain Fairfield, Connecticut, prep school lacrosse player reacted with shock after his son's suspected killer was acquitted on a murder charge on Wednesday afternoon. "I'm astonished at the results, but, you know, it's due process," a stoic Kevin McGrath said outside the state Superior Court in Milford, Connecticut, later describing his son as a "wonderful person." "He's entitled to it," said McGrath. "And at the end of the day, the jury made their verdict. I'm not sure if, you know, they were in the same courtroom as we all were together, but that's the verdict. And we'll live with it." McGrath was referring to Raul Valle, 20, who, after an eight-day trial and nearly three days of jury deliberation, was acquitted of murdering McGrath's son, James "Jimmy" McGrath, during a brawl at a rowdy, booze-fueled high school party in 2022. McGrath, who was 17 at the time, was a lacrosse player at Fairfield College Preparatory Academy. Valle was 16 at the time of the fatal stabbing, but was charged as an adult. Valle was also acquitted on the lesser included charge of intentional manslaughter, two charges of first-degree assault and one charge of second-degree assault. The jury was deadlocked on lesser included charges of reckless manslaughter and reckless assault. Judge Shari Murphy declared a mistrial on those counts, leaving the door open for Valle to potentially be retried. "I can't even imagine that, you know, I'm standing here giving this part of the speech," Kevin McGrath said Wednesday. "I mean, I was ready for maybe manslaughter. I was not ready for not guilty. I'll be honest with you: I don't think anybody was." "I was extremely confident, probably overconfident. I'm shocked," he said. "You know, it's probably why I'm in control. I'm shocked right now of the verdict." McGrath was also magnanimous at times. "Raul Valle received a fair trial," he assured reporters. "I don't believe Raul Valle woke up Saturday morning and said he was going to kill Jimmy McGrath. You know, I never believed that. They didn't know each other. I'm just in shock that an innocent young man with a brilliant potential is not with us anymore. And the person that took his life is right now free tonight." He also graciously thanked first responders, investigators, the court and the media for conducting themselves professionally throughout the criminal justice process. McGrath family attorney Michael Rosnick spoke briefly about the possibility of further legal action. "There are lesser included charges," he said. "I anticipate, we anticipate, that the state's attorney's office will file an information, but I'm going to let the state's attorney's office speak for itself." The parties are currently embroiled in civil litigation. Valle attended St. Joseph High School in Trumbull near Fairfield Prep, where McGrath was a junior. Both had been at a house party on the evening of May 14, 2022, that involved a fight and underage drinking prior to the stabbing, which occurred at another house party later that night. At one point, there were about 25 people engaged in the fight on the front lawn of the home, whose owners were present during the brawl, witnesses told police. At least three juvenile suspects are mentioned in the report, including Valle, who was suspected of having a knife. McGrath had "one stab wound to the left side of the chest," the warrant states. "The stab wound went through the rib and heart." Valle claimed during his trial that he acted in self-defense, and that he was protecting one of his friends.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Prep school lacrosse player's accused killer found not guilty of murder
Raul Valle, accused of stabbing Fairfield, Connecticut prep school lacrosse player James "Jimmy" McGrath to death in March 2022, has been found not guilty on murder and intentional manslaughter charges. Valle was also acquitted of first- and second-degree intentional assault. The jury was deadlocked on charges of first-degree reckless manslaughter and first- and second-degree reckless assault. Judge Shari Murphy declared a mistrial on those deadlocked charges. Valle, now 20, was tearful during an emotional reaction to the verdict. He was 16 when McGrath, 17, was stabbed to death during a booze-fueled teenage brawl following a house party. McGrath played lacrosse at Fairfield College Preparatory School. Outside the courtroom, McGrath's father, Kevin McGrath, reacted to the verdict with shock. "I'm astonished at the results, but, you know, it's due process. [Valle] is entitled to it. And at the end of the day, the jury made their verdict," he said. "I'm not sure if, you know, if they were in the same courtroom as we all were together, but that's the verdict, and we'll live with it." He described himself as "perhaps overconfident" that Valle would be convicted when he learned that the jury had returned a verdict. Read On The Fox News App "I'm shocked. You know, it's probably why I'm in control," he said. "I'm shocked right now of the verdict." However, McGrath said the trial was fair. "Raul Valle received a fair trial," he said. "I don't believe Raul Valle woke up Saturday morning and said he was going to kill Jimmy McGrath. You know, I never believed that. They didn't know each other. I'm just in shock that an innocent young man with a brilliant potential is not with us anymore. And the person that took his life is right now free tonight." McGrath thanked the first responders, investigators, the court and the media for conducting themselves professionally throughout the criminal justice process. The family's attorney, Michael Rosnick, mentioned in passing that the state could retry Valle on the lesser included charges where a mistrial was declared. "There are lesser included charges," he said. "I anticipate, we anticipate, that the state's attorney's office will file an information, but I'm going to let the state's attorney's office speak for itself." Deadlocked Jurors In Prep School Lacrosse Player's Killing A 'Great Sign' For Defense: Expert Donna Rotunno is a criminal defense attorney and Fox News contributor. She told Fox News Digital that the not-guilty verdict on the murder charge is justified. "I don't think that the punishment would fit the elements of the crime in this circumstance," she said Wednesday afternoon. "I don't think this rises to the level of … where somebody should spend the rest of their life in prison. And it's an awful, terrible, tragic situation. But I don't think that there was the level of intent necessary to spend the rest of their life in prison. "There is never an intent to use [a weapon]. Your hope is to have it in case you need it and I think the facts and circumstances of this situation lend to that analysis. I think that this was a circumstance where a fight broke out. I do believe that [Valle] felt that he was in danger. I believe he felt that his friends were in danger, and therefore those were the decisions that he made. And, you know, knife or not, that was that." Self-defense Claim In Austin Metcalf Slaying Is 'Uphill Battle': Expert The jury was deadlocked at 11-1 on Monday and Tuesday before deliberations continued Wednesday morning, as NBC Connecticut reported. Valle testified during the trial, claiming the stabbing was self-defense. "I think those stories are very compelling for jurors. I think jurors really try to get it right," Rotunno told Fox News Digital on Tuesday, before the jury reached the verdict. "Obviously, there are some cases where maybe that analysis doesn't fit or somebody makes the claim of self-defense [and] it doesn't make sense under the law. But … given the way this jury has been out now for a couple of days, and they're clearly deadlocked … [defense attorneys] have made a compelling argument to at least one or some." She added that any time a defendant asserts self-defense, "the burden shifts to you to show that … you were in reasonable fear." Valle took the witness stand in his own defense last week, which Rotunno said is "almost necessary" in cases like his. Austin Metcalf's Suspected Killer Indicted On First-degree Murder Charge In Track Meet Stabbing Valle attended St. Joseph High School in Trumbull near Fairfield Prep, where McGrath was a junior. Both had been at a house party on the evening of May 14, 2022 that involved a fight and underage drinking prior to the stabbing, which occurred at another house party later that night. Police responded to several 911 calls reporting a fight that occurred just before midnight on May 14, 2022 outside a residence on Laurel Glen Drive in Shelton and found multiple victims on the front lawn. The owner of the residence where the party took place was home at the time of the incident, according to a warrant. At one point, there were about 25 people engaged in the fight on the front lawn of the home, witnesses told police. At least three juvenile suspects are mentioned in the report, including Valle, who is suspected of having a knife. McGrath had "one stab wound to the left side of the chest," the warrant states. "The stab wound went through the rib and heart." Connecticut Teen To Stand Trial For Prep School Athlete's Murder That Has 'Shaken' Parents, Schools: Attorney A doctor from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Connecticut told police that there were approximately 1.8 liters of blood in McGrath's lungs. During his emotional testimony, Valle said he never intended to kill anyone that evening. He said a friend handed him the knife during a large fight involving dozens of teenagers who surrounded him. He alleged that at one point during the fight, he lost consciousness. Valle further said he was swinging the knife in all directions and felt overwhelmed, according to Court TV. "So I think that it's very difficult in a self-defense case for a jury to not hear from the defendant," Rotunno explained. "Sometimes, you can establish it through other witnesses, but if you have a defendant that can take the stand, and you have somebody who … is going to do a good job telling the jury what happened, I almost think it's necessary in these cases." Rotunno said that "in a melee, you have to remember, you're talking about split-second situations." She noted that at one point during his testimony, Valle was asked whether someone next to him was coming directly at him during the fight, to which he responded that he could not remember. Rachel Morin Murder: Illegal Immigrant Suspect Denied Ever Being In Maryland At Time Of Crime "I think that for the defense, the best piece of information is just the fact that this is a total fight. You have no idea who's coming at you. You don't know what's going to happen to you. You're in fear, and you act," she said. "And in any circumstance, I understand that the prosecution is going to say, he brought this knife to a fist fight, right? … But just because you have a weapon on you doesn't mean that there was an intent to use it. And if you're not the aggressor, it doesn't mean you don't have a right to then defend yourself." If the jury does not come to an agreement, the judge may declare a mistrial. That could result in the case going "back to square one," Rotunno said. The defense could also argue for Valle's release in the case of a mistrial. A representative from St. Joseph 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."Original article source: Prep school lacrosse player's accused killer found not guilty of murder
Fox News
6 days ago
- Sport
- Fox News
Outnumbered - Wednesday, July 9
All times eastern The Evening Edit with Elizabeth Macdonald FOX News Radio Live Channel Coverage WATCH LIVE: Raul Valle's murder trial for killing of Connecticut prep school lacrosse player
