Family of slain teen overcome with emotion during court appearance for suspected killer

The family of James “Jimmy” McGrath was overcome with emotion in Milford Superior Court on Friday morning as they sat just feet away from Raul “Lito” Valle, the teen accused in the stabbing death of the Fairfield Prep junior at a party in May.

McGrath’s younger sister let out a sorrowful whimper in the courtroom, prompting the crowd of family and friends surrounding the McGraths to rally around her. She briefly left the courtroom with her parents. As the family walked out, McGrath’s mother looked toward Valle — who was seated with his family wearing khakis, a blue suit jacket and a face mask — and said, “He did this.”

After the McGrath family filed back in and took their seats in the front row of the courtroom, Valle stood quietly before Judge Peter Brown as his attorney, Kevin Smith, asked for permission for Valle to go outside while out on bond.

McGrath’s friends were visibly upset as Smith argued for the court to allow Valle to go outside to get fresh air and “help his mother” during his court-ordered house arrest. Valle is charged with first-degree murder and three counts of assault after allegedly stabbing McGrath and three of his friends at a Shelton house party on May 14, according to police.

The judge ruled that Valle, who has been released from custody on a $2 million bond since late May, could go outside on his parent’s property until 6 p.m. but could under no circumstances leave the premises.

The judge also gave Valle a stern warning about using the internet.

“I do not want Mr. Valle to have any internet access whatsoever,” the judge said.

The teen was also told that if he had a cell phone, he needed to turn it in. Valle’s attorney asked the judge if Valle could use a phone to be able to contact his parents when they are not home. The judge asked if the family had a landline phone. Valle’s mother, who was seated in the courtroom, said they had one but didn’t use it.

“Hook it up. Use it. You’re not using the internet sir,” said Brown. “No texting, no emailing, whatsoever.”

After Valle’s appearance, a tense scene erupted outside the courthouse between McGrath’s friends and Valle and his family.

Court marshals came outside to help keep the parties separated.

McGrath’s father, Kevin McGrath, stood in front of the courthouse flanked by a crowd of more than two dozen loved ones as he thanked them for their unwavering support.

“They have made an extremely difficult situation better,” he said.

He said his family has faith that justice will be served.

“We respect the court and we have our faith in the whole process,” he said. “We do understand that Raul and his accomplices are due due process. This is, I’d say, the third step in a really long journey.”

McGrath was a junior at Fairfield College Preparatory School where he played football and lacrosse. According to a warrant for Valle’s arrest, he was at a house party with friends on Laurel Glen Drive when students from St. Joseph’s High School showed up to continue an argument that had begun at another party and raged on via group text. One of those students was 16-year-old Valle, a football player at St. Joseph’s High School in Trumbull.

As a chaotic fight unfurled on the front lawn of that party, police allege that Valle stabbed three people and then fatally stabbed McGrath once in his chest. The teen died at a nearby hospital from a stab wound that pierced his heart, police said.

McGrath’s funeral drew hundreds of friends, teammates, classmates, neighbors and family mourning his loss to St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Trumbull in May.

His family spoke out for the first time in early June, calling on McGrath’s loved ones to be peaceful and patient as they let Valle’s move through the criminal justice system.

On Friday, Valle’s attorney asked the court for more time to review evidence before their next pre-trial hearing. Valle, who is charged as an adult, has not entered a plea. His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 12 in Milford Superior Court.