NOT GUILTY CT - James McGrath, 17, athlete, fatally stabbed at house party fight, Shelton, May 2022 *ARREST*

[LAborn]

CT has some of the harshest mandatory minimum laws I'm aware of.

Age 16 at the time of the crime, Valle was charged as an adult for Murder-1, and is facing 60 years to life in prison if convicted. Reportedly, he twice rejected plea offers of 40 years.

TBH, I know of gang members convicted of savagely gutting individuals with the intent to kill who are not serving 40-year sentences!

I don't think anybody can honestly say that Valle stabbed with intent to kill anybody. The victims testified they were not initially aware they'd been stabbed.

Valle turned himself in to police whereas Snyder and Dasilva each secured lawyers prior to speaking to authorities. I'd say this accounts for why they successfully negotiated immunity agreements in exchange for their testimony. Each co-defendant was facing up to 60-year sentences. The investigation (and testimony) showed that three individuals would be charged with conspiracy to commit murder and/or accessory charges (Valle, Dasilva, and Snyder).

There's no doubt that Valle is responsible for the stabbing but IMO, he clearly lacked the impulse control of Snyder who actually instigated the first fight when he stole Heinz's beer, and accepted Heinz's challenge to fight for the beer (where Valle jumped in to assist Snyder), yet Snyder later stayed safe inside his car after he drove others to the 2nd party where only Valle and Dasilva exited, and Valle ultimately caused McGrath's death.

A horrific tragedy. So hard to watch this trial.

MOO

Thanks for sharing details about the laws and sentencing in CT. Yes, horrific tragedy and very hard to watch. I feel for everyone who witnessed this and has to relive it to testify, and the lifelong trauma.

I don't have empathy for Valle at all. He actually started the violence at house #1 when he sucker punched Heinz from behind and head butted him (witness said he dove in to head butt him with the motorcycle helmet on). Clearly he was intent to cause more violence. Fist fights are one thing, a knife is something else. Based on Heinz description and injuries, Valle was trying to kill. He made multiple rapid stabs in at least 3 parts of his body. He truly is lucky he didn't die. Anyway, I hope Valle gets the maximum, he's proven to be a danger to society.

 

[LAborn]

Taylor Capela's testimony today was heartbreaking. Valle--the selfish, arrogant, narcissist, could have taken a plea deal (offered twice), to prevent all his victims from further trauma, but that would require a conscience which he clearly doesn't have. He's a monster.

 

[Seattle1]

DAY 6 – 6/26/25​

• VIDEO: CT v. Raul Valle | Preppy Party Murder Trial Day 6
• Jack Snyder, the Honda Pilot driver, testified under an immunity agreement shielding him from prosecution for potential crimes, including accessory to assault or murder
• WATCH: Preppy Party Murder Trial: Day 6 Pivotal Moments
• Snyder acknowledged stealing Ryan Heinz’s beer at the Lazy Brook Road party, triggering the first fight
• Snyder confirmed plans to confront Shelton High kids after being added to a group chat that had originally been used to coordinate pickup basketball games, but on this night had become a toxic trash-talking venue between the rival groups of high school kids
• Snyder described arriving at Tyler Rich’s house on Laurel Glen Drive, where their car was surrounded by about 30 kids from Shelton High School, many of whom were on the football team
  • WATCH: Preppy Party Murder Trial: Driver Says Kids Were Spitting, Rocking Car
• Snyder admitted giving Valle his own black folding tactical knife (a “pocketknife” as he described it, but the attached photo of the same model knife — the actual knife was never recovered — indicated otherwise) from the car’s center console after Valle aggressively asked for it, following their initial flight from the first confrontation on Laurel Glen Drive
  • WATCH: Preppy Party Murder Trial Witness: I Gave Raul Valle the Knife
• Snyder recounted driving Valle and Tyler DaSilva back to the house where the first confrontation occurred — ostensibly intending to resolve the dispute peacefully (because DaSilva “knew some of their families”), but chaos erupted after Valle was punched, leading to a melee where four people were stabbed, one fatally.
• Snyder testified Valle came back to the car distraught, saying “I think I just stabbed four people,” while holding the knife, recalling Valle threw the knife into the woods as they fled
  • WATCH: Witness Recalls Raul Valle Saying He Thinks He Stabbed Four People
• Valle, now 20 but 16 at the time, was visibly emotional as Snyder, testifying on the stand, recounted the moments immediately after the quadruple stabbing.
  • WATCH: Preppy Party Murder Trial: Witness Admits Tossing Murder Weapon
• Under cross, Snyder, who’s now 19 years old but was 16 at the time of the incident, admitted his text “enjoy the hospital” to the now infamous and obviously instigative “basketball group chat” after the stabbing, insisting he didn’t understand the severity of what had occurred.
• The day wrapped with Snyder’s credibility challenged over the timing of his statements, the knife handoff, and deletion of his phone data, but he largely maintained his version of events under pointed questioning by Valle’s attorney, Kevin M. Smith.

CT v. Raul Valle: Preppy Party Murder Trial

Raul Valle is on trial for murder after a stabbing at a high school party left a 17-year-old lacrosse player dead and three others injured.

www.courttv.com

 

[Marah]

Will the basketball chat be admitted into evidence?
I have been watching the trial and had no knowledge of this case before. I couldn't believe the girlfriend at the time drove him home afterwards not knowing! Wow. Can you even imagine?

 

[Seattle1]

DAY 7 – 6/27/25​

• VIDEO: CT v. Raul Valle | Preppy Party Murder Trial Day 7
• Tyler DaSilva, best friend of the defendant, testified under a non-prosecution agreement.
  • WATCH: Witness: ‘Valle Wasn’t Looking For Anything Peaceful’
  • He was 17 at the time of the incident, ending his junior year at St. Joseph High School.
  • Said he, Jack Snyder, and the defendant went to a party on Lazy Brook Road with alcohol (including KINKY® liqueur) and picked up friends on the way.
  • Described a typical high school party until uninvited guests arrived, leading to a confrontation.
  • Recalls Jack Snyder throwing the first punch; DaSilva and others joined the fight, including someone in a motorcycle helmet.
  • In the video played in court, the defendant appeared to strike first, contradicting DaSilva’s memory.
  • After being kicked out, the group engaged in a hostile group chat planning a second confrontation.
  • The defendant reportedly said “slide right now,” interpreted as an invite to fight.
  • They drove to a second location on Laurel Glen Drive, where the situation escalated again.
  • Upon arrival, their car was surrounded by 30–40 people from the opposing party.
  • Profanity and aggression from both sides followed; DaSilva said the defendant was yelling from the car window.
  • DaSilva claimed he tried to de-escalate by talking to Shelton kids he knew but was punched and knocked to the ground.
  • He never saw Jimmy McGrath during the brawl and described the scene as chaotic and violent.
  • After the fight, DaSilva was angry at his friends for trying to drive away without him.
  • The defendant asked for a knife during the drive back, though DaSilva didn’t see it and didn’t have one himself.
  • Later, he called the defendant and asked if he stabbed someone; the defendant allegedly responded, “I f—ed up, bro. I’m sorry.”
  • DaSilva learned one victim might not survive and realized the severity of the situation.
  • He then left for Vermont with his cousin on legal advice, stopped at a hospital where he was diagnosed with a concussion and head injuries.
• Mackenzie Trafecante was dating defendant Raul “Lito” Valle at the time of the incident and described May 14, 2022, as “an awful day”; she was 18 and a senior at St. Joseph High School.
  • WATCH: Raul Valle’s Ex-Girlfriend Recalls ‘The Worst Night Of My Life’
  • She attended a party on Lazy Brook Road with Valle and others after prom; noted underclassmen, drinking, and little interaction with Valle at the party.
  • After a fight broke out outside the party, she rode in Jack Snyder’s car with Valle, Tyler DaSilva, and others to Trumbull High, then toward Tyler Rich’s house — against her wishes.
  • Trafecante objected multiple times to going to Tyler Rich’s house, texting her sister to come pick her up because she feared a confrontation was coming.
  • At Laurel Glen Drive, she hid in the car’s cargo area, hoping not to be seen; she heard loud noises, yelling, and possibly things being thrown at the car.
  • She later got out of the car and sat alone on a curb, still trying to leave. She recalled hearing someone mention a knife but didn’t take it seriously at the time.
  • Trafecante offered several boys a ride home; three accepted, but Valle and another declined — she said they seemed “hyped up” and then “disappeared.”
  • Valle reappeared later and got into her sister’s car without visible injuries; she didn’t speak to him on the ride and was angry he hadn’t stood up for her.
  • After getting home, she received texts and Snapchats about a stabbing and messaged Valle directly — he denied involvement, saying “I wasn’t there.”
  • She learned Jimmy McGrath had died when police came to her house overnight; became emotional in court recalling the moment her family found out.
• Taylor Capela, longtime friend of Jimmy McGrath, described May 14, 2022, as “probably the worst day” of her life.
  • She was a junior at Shelton High at the time (she’s 19 now).
  • She attended the party at Tyler Rich’s house with her then-boyfriend and recalled around 20–25 people being there, with alcohol present.
  • Saw Jack Snyder’s Honda Pilot arrive; later observed a hostile interaction with people throwing things both from and at the vehicle.
  • Back inside, she had an emotional conversation with Jimmy McGrath, who told her how happy he was in his relationship.
  • When the Honda Pilot returned, she saw Tyler DaSilva and Lito Valle get out and immediately engage in fighting with Shelton High kids.
  • Heard Charlie Connery shout, “he has a knife, he has a knife”, and moments later saw the defendant lunge at Jimmy McGrath.
    • WATCH: Witness: Raul Valle Lunged at James McGrath, Stabbed Him, Then Fled
  • Capela testified that Jimmy wasn’t fighting anyone and was just standing and observing before the defendant went “right towards Jimmy.”
  • She witnessed the stabbing, describing the defendant’s raised arm motion and seeing blood cover Jimmy’s white shorts.
  • Also saw injuries to others including Faison Teele and Tommy Connery, who was bleeding heavily.
  • Capela broke down recalling the trauma, said she now suffers from nightmares, anxiety, and has sought therapy to cope with what she witnessed.

CT v. Raul Valle: Preppy Party Murder Trial

Raul Valle is on trial for murder after a stabbing at a high school party left a 17-year-old lacrosse player dead and three others injured.

www.courttv.com

 

[waldojabba]

I wish Valle had just pled guilty and save everyone more trauma. He's not going to get off.

Agreed. The state offered a 40 yr plea deal and got no counter.
Valle should have countered and struck a deal.
I cannot see anything but guilty here unless I am missing something.
The defendant and all the party people that age - lots of them lack impulse control then just add the booze and whatever else.

I don’t know I would look at intent here too. Did Raul intend to kill ? Or just a fight escalated and he went for the knife.
Kind of curious though why at 16/17 you are carrying a knife.
I know Faurfield Prep - it draws from a number of towns. My nephew went there.
I don’t know Trumbull well where Raul is from. Wondering if he needed the knife bc of gang activity in his neighborhood?

My bottom line - I hope racism does not enter into any verdict. And I’m not really sure he should be tried as an adult.
Assuming guilty if I were the deceased parents I might accept 20-25 yrs.
I
Understanding that every kid that age is just one bad decision away from disaster. It does not have to a knife. One quick shove/ punch and you can end up on trial.

Jury of course is always a wild card. But yes sorry this was not settled out of court.
JMO.

 

[turaj]

Agreed. The state offered a 40 yr plea deal and got no counter.
Valle should have countered and struck a deal.
I cannot see anything but guilty here unless I am missing something.
The defendant and all the party people that age - lots of them lack impulse control then just add the booze and whatever else.

I don’t know I would look at intent here too. Did Raul intend to kill ? Or just a fight escalated and he went for the knife.
Kind of curious though why at 16/17 you are carrying a knife.
I know Faurfield Prep - it draws from a number of towns. My nephew went there.
I don’t know Trumbull well where Raul is from. Wondering if he needed the knife bc of gang activity in his neighborhood?

My bottom line - I hope racism does not enter into any verdict. And I’m not really sure he should be tried as an adult.
Assuming guilty if I were the deceased parents I might accept 20-25 yrs.
I
Understanding that every kid that age is just one bad decision away from disaster. It does not have to a knife. One quick shove/ punch and you can end up on trial.

Jury of course is always a wild card. But yes sorry this was not settled out of court.
JMO.

just started watching the days so far of this trial. Valle has a very experienced attorney but clearly he is guilty as charged. Self defense cannot work for all the victims and any of them could have died. Some very entitled kids with apparently limited parental knowledge of what they were up to on a weekly basis. Drinking was just expected and parents did not seem to care. I read where the parents at the first house that kicked the drunken teens out are facing legal charges as they should. With all the immunity deals with eye witnesses to the evenings events he will be convicted.

 

[waldojabba]

just started watching the days so far of this trial. Valle has a very experienced attorney but clearly he is guilty as charged. Self defense cannot work for all the victims and any of them could have died. Some very entitled kids with apparently limited parental knowledge of what they were up to on a weekly basis. Drinking was just expected and parents did not seem to care. I read where the parents at the first house that kicked the drunken teens out are facing legal charges as they should. With all the immunity deals with eye witnesses to the evenings events he will be convicted.

Raul’s attorney Kevin Smith is Norm Pattis’ old partner. Norm and Kevin repped Fotis the husband from the Jenifer Dulos murder in New Canaan CT.
From what I gather one defense play here is self defense but I don’t know how that works if you actually leave to get the knife which he did and then come back.
I think the D’s best bet is to get the charge reduced to manslaughter. Hopefully that’s an option.
In order to do that though I think the kid needs to get on the stand and do and say the right things.
For the boys who were granted total immunity - I am having a bit of an issue with that. Feels very unfair. But then again…
Their parents were savy enough to lawyer up and make deals.
There will be a conviction and prison time.
I’ve got my fingers crossed he can use the prison time wisely and get a degree etc.
A horrible tragedy all around.
jmo

 

[Seattle1]

Agreed. The state offered a 40 yr plea deal and got no counter.
Valle should have countered and struck a deal.
I cannot see anything but guilty here unless I am missing something.
The defendant and all the party people that age - lots of them lack impulse control then just add the booze and whatever else.

^^rsbm

I learned more on this decision after listening to Joshua Ritter (Courtroom Confidential):

Two things, there's no dispute that Valle caused the death and injury of the victims, and given CT has no "stand your ground law" the defense has no legal basis to argue self-defense.

A plea offer of 40 years for a 16-yr old offender is not a reasonable offer but when the State cites mandatory minimum statutes and presents the case as 60 years to life, 40 years was probably their best, take it or leave it offer (made twice). Personally, I find this insane for a teen offender when there are gang members not doing 40 years for savage murders!

We also know that Valle is the sole defendant here only because he turned himself in while his two co-conspirators (Snyder and DaSilva) lawyered up and refused to talk to investigators until immunity agreements from prosecution were in place.

But most significant, we learned during Jack Synder's testimony (who owned the knife and gave it to Valle in the heat of the moment) that Valle had no prior knowledge of this knife kept in the console until he saw Jack holding the knife on his lap when he was sitting in the car. This confirmed to me that Valle returning (to the brawl) with the knife in hand was more likely an impulsive act by an excited, alcohol impaired teen who'd been sprayed in the face with WD40 and was getting pounded (along with DaSilva) while Jack safely watched the fight from inside his car.

This brawl was instigated when Jack took a case of beer away from a Shelton HS rival (R Heinz) at the first party, fueled by continued group chat messaging, and ended tragically when two of his friends that he drove to the Rich residence were incited by sudden damage to his car by the large crowd!

IMO, Just as Jack had the better judgment to stay inside his car, we'd not be here today if he refused Valle his knife. And Jack's final message in the group chat "Enjoy the Hospital" Wth?? That's diabolical!

This is one of the rare instances where I would recommend the defendant take the stand and testify. I don't doubt Jurors will rightfully convict Valle but I believe both the jurors and the Court should hear the mitigating circumstances direct from Valle-- where perhaps the Court will find to impose reasonable punishment for this tragedy.

From all that's been said about Jimmy McGrath, it doesn't follow that he'd want Valle spending the majority of his life in prison.

I was curious about the psychology of the adolescents involved and it came as no surprise to see that Valle was the "smallest" of his peers. And except for Griffin M, the same is true of the Shelton HS rival crowd that the SJH teen faced on that dreadful night.

Snyder: 6'3 - 225 lbs.
DaSilva: 6'1 - 200 lbs.
Valle: 5'10 - 164 lbs.

Boys Varsity Football • Roster

Explore players, positions and metrics for St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, CT.

fan.hudl.com

Football - Varsity • Roster

Explore players, positions and metrics for Shelton High School in Shelton, CT.

fan.hudl.com

Fact: Alcohol = Unhealthy Adolescent Risk Taking

The Current Landscape of Adolescent Risk Behavior - Promoting Positive Adolescent Health Behaviors and Outcomes - NCBI Bookshelf

 

[waldojabba]

^^rsbm

I learned more on this decision after listening to Joshua Ritter (Courtroom Confidential):

Two things, there's no dispute that Valle caused the death and injury of the victims, and given CT has no "stand your ground law" the defense has no legal basis to argue self-defense.

A plea offer of 40 years for a 16-yr old offender is not a reasonable offer but when the State cites mandatory minimum statutes and presents the case as 60 years to life, 40 years was probably their best, take it or leave it offer (made twice). Personally, I find this insane for a teen offender when there are gang members not doing 40 years for savage murders!

We also know that Valle is the sole defendant here only because he turned himself in while his two co-conspirators (Snyder and DaSilva) lawyered up and refused to talk to investigators until immunity agreements from prosecution were in place.

But most significant, we learned during Jack Synder's testimony (who owned the knife and gave it to Valle in the heat of the moment) that Valle had no prior knowledge of this knife kept in the console until he saw Jack holding the knife on his lap when he was sitting in the car. This confirmed to me that Valle returning (to the brawl) with the knife in hand was more likely an impulsive act by an excited, alcohol impaired teen who'd been sprayed in the face with WD40 and was getting pounded (along with DaSilva) while Jack safely watched the fight from inside his car.

This brawl was instigated when Jack took a case of beer away from a Shelton HS rival (R Heinz) at the first party, fueled by continued group chat messaging, and ended tragically when two of his friends that he drove to the Rich residence were incited by sudden damage to his car by the large crowd!

IMO, Just as Jack had the better judgment to stay inside his car, we'd not be here today if he refused Valle his knife. And Jack's final message in the group chat "Enjoy the Hospital" Wth?? That's diabolical!

This is one of the rare instances where I would recommend the defendant take the stand and testify. I don't doubt Jurors will rightfully convict Valle but I believe both the jurors and the Court should hear the mitigating circumstances direct from Valle-- where perhaps the Court will find to impose reasonable punishment for this tragedy.

From all that's been said about Jimmy McGrath, it doesn't follow that he'd want Valle spending the majority of his life in prison.

I was curious about the psychology of the adolescents involved and it came as no surprise to see that Valle was the "smallest" of his peers. And except for Griffin M, the same is true of the Shelton HS rival crowd that the SJH teen faced on that dreadful night.

Snyder: 6'3 - 225 lbs.
DaSilva: 6'1 - 200 lbs.
Valle: 5'10 - 164 lbs.

Boys Varsity Football • Roster

Explore players, positions and metrics for St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, CT.

fan.hudl.com

Football - Varsity • Roster

Explore players, positions and metrics for Shelton High School in Shelton, CT.

fan.hudl.com

Fact: Alcohol = Unhealthy Adolescent Risk Taking

The Current Landscape of Adolescent Risk Behavior - Promoting Positive Adolescent Health Behaviors and Outcomes - NCBI Bookshelf

Thanks for all of this

Context does matter

I did also read that the McGraths ( Mom and Dad) have no forgiveness

Raul is really up against it.

Hopefully the judge gets it right

JMO

 

[Seattle1]

6/30/25

Incident after Friday’s proceedings prompts warning from judge​

Prior to the jury being brought in on Monday, the judge said she was made aware of "a situation" that allegedly happened on courthouse property after Friday’s proceedings.
“I want to be clear that this court will not tolerate any disruptive behavior toward court staff, jury, parties, the witnesses or any of the attorneys involved,” Murphy said.
Murphy said if she were to learn of such behavior and it is investigated, she could remove that person from the trial immediately and preclude them from attending the remainder of the trial “in the interests of maintaining safety security and fairness to these proceedings.”

 

[turaj]

Raul’s attorney Kevin Smith is Norm Pattis’ old partner. Norm and Kevin repped Fotis the husband from the Jenifer Dulos murder in New Canaan CT.
From what I gather one defense play here is self defense but I don’t know how that works if you actually leave to get the knife which he did and then come back.
I think the D’s best bet is to get the charge reduced to manslaughter. Hopefully that’s an option.
In order to do that though I think the kid needs to get on the stand and do and say the right things.
For the boys who were granted total immunity - I am having a bit of an issue with that. Feels very unfair. But then again…
Their parents were savy enough to lawyer up and make deals.
There will be a conviction and prison time.
I’ve got my fingers crossed he can use the prison time wisely and get a degree etc.
A horrible tragedy all around.
jmo

I assume there will be lesser included charges. A commentator mentioned that the 40 plea deal was rejected as he will no doubt be guilty but sentence may well be less than 40 years. Most online are ripping Smith apart but I think he knows exactly what he is doing. Will Raul take the stand? I doubt it. It is striking how entitled these kids are. It is noteworthy that Smith makes sure to mention the party homes and lack of supervision and providing these kids with the booze. Hoping some in jury will put some blame on parents and probably setting up more cases against them.

 

[Seattle1]

The State has rested, and Valle will be taking the stand.

 

[Marah]

Thoughts on what he has said so far? I feel like he really hasn't given many details. He didn't say his girlfriend hid in the trunk. Testimony isn't flowing for me.

 

[Crimeonmymind]

Thoughts on what he has said so far? I feel like he really hasn't given many details. He didn't say his girlfriend hid in the trunk. Testimony isn't flowing for me.

It felt like he and his attorney weren’t on the same page at all. The attorney is trying to tell him that he’s scared and meanwhile Raul is like “I was confused, a little nervous…” Like did they not go over what his story was going to be? I was kind of shocked at how poorly it’s gone so far. Of course we haven’t gotten to the actual fight yet so that might change.

I also noticed he contradicted both Mackenzie and Tyler’s testimony about 1) where they got the liquor (I highly doubt Tyler’s story about getting it from a liquor store by being a “smooth talker”… but I also don’t understand what Mackenzie has to gain by also lying about where they got the alcohol. I can’t remember if Jack also testified that they got it from Tyler’s parents) and 2) Mackenzie hiding in the trunk. Not sure why she would lie about her doing that? Or why Raul would be insistent that she didn’t hide in the trunk?

 

[Seattle1]

House party murder suspect testifies in court

Testimony continued Monday in the trial of a man accused of murdering a prep school student at a house party.

www.wfsb.com

6/30/25

Valle told jurors he wasn’t aware Snyder had a knife in the car when he first got in that night.

He said he was confused as to why Snyder tossed him the knife.

Valle told jurors that when they went back down to the house party, he, “Trusted my best friend that we were going to make peace.”

[..]

Valle will be back on the stand tomorrow morning.

 

[Seattle1]

Defendant takes the stand in murder trial for deadly stabbing of Fairfield Prep athlete at Shelton party

Court ended for the day before Valle testified about the fight on Laurel Glen Drive, but he told the jury his mindset just before it broke out.

connecticut.news12.com

6/30/25

After the SUV drove down the road away from the crowd, Valle testified that the driver, his friend Jack Snyder, tossed Valle his knife unprompted. [..]

“How did you feel when he threw that knife to you?” Smith asked. “Confused,” Valle replied.
“And what did you do with the knife?” Smith questioned.
“Put it in my pocket,” Valle answered.

Valle’s testimony directly contradicted testimony from Snyder and other witnesses, who said Valle specifically asked for Snyder's knife before the stabbing.

Charlie Connery was the final witness in the case against Valle. Connery, who was 16 at the time, is the one heard on the video of the fight yelling, “He’s got a knife! He’s got a knife!” Connery told the jury McGrath wasn’t part of the brawl, unlike the other stabbing victims—including Connery’s brother. Connery said everyone had gotten off of Valle when he attacked McGrath, whom Connery called a bystander.

“The defendant went after the closest person to him, and that was Jimmy McGrath and stabbed him,” Connery told the jury. Connery also said McGrath tried to avoid Valle and was backing up at the time. Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Marc Durso played the video of the fight slowed down.
“At frame 535, Jimmy's actually stepping back,” Durso stated pointing to the still image. “Is that the point you see him get stabbed by the defendant?” “Seconds right after that, yes,” Connery replied, adding that he saw something shiny in Valle’s hand.

 

[Seattle1]

6/30/25

Raul Valle Testifies He ‘Was Not Trained to Use A Knife’​

 

[Seattle1]

I think the defendant RV has already adjusted to the loss of privileges by inmates while he's been home on pretrial bond release! He was granted permission by the Court to finish HS online but was denied a phone and the use of internet ever since his release.

https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/raul-valle-james-mcgrath-online-class-18591601.php

Jan 6, 2024


Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Marc Durso told the judge he had no objection to Valle taking online courses but did object to Valle having access to a cell phone.
“This case arose out of social media use and I have a genuine concern if he (Valle) were to have unrestricted access to social media,” the prosecutor said.

“I have never had a case where I have denied a defendant the ability to take online courses,” Russo said. “But I also don’t want to be returning to a defendant a device that played a role in a criminal event. Access to the internet and the use of a cell phone is denied.”
Valle and Pattis declined comment as they left the courthouse.

[..]

Valle was a student at St. Joseph High School in Trumbull at the time. He is free on a $2 million bond under house arrest with GPS monitoring. Last March Judge Peter Brown granted Valle permission to attend church services on the condition that it was once a week and that probation officers monitoring his GPS be notified where and when he would be attending church.

 

[Seattle1]

DAILY TRIAL UPDATES​

DAY 8 – 6/30/25​

• VIDEO: CT v. Raul Valle | Preppy Party Murder Trial Day 8
• Taylor Capela, James McGrath’s close friend, underwent cross-examination.
  • Capela insisted McGrath never had a weapon and never engaged with Valle before being stabbed.
  • Was at Tyler Rich’s house with her boyfriend; about 20–25 people there.
  • Grew up with many attendees; noted extra people like seniors and recent grads.
  • Heard a group from another house was coming after a prior fight.
  • Couldn’t recall how many total were present; struggled to identify many names.
  • Heard objects being thrown from both sides, but no yelling or threats.
  • Jimmy was inside when she went back in; not sure if he came back out.
  • Later saw the Honda Pilot outside; didn’t see Jimmy or hear screaming.
  • Felt “something bad was going to happen”; told Jimmy to stay out of it.
  • Saw Valle behind DaSilva, then saw Valle lunge at Jimmy — didn’t initially see a knife.
  • Valle went to the car and came back; Capela insists she saw this firsthand.
  • Stands by belief Jimmy wasn’t involved in any fight; “100 percent” confident.
  • Identified herself near the truck in the fight video but struggled to ID others due to blurriness.
  • Saw Valle walk to car, return, and later lunge at Jimmy with an upward motion.
  • Never talked to anyone about what she saw until police approached her a week later.
  • Defense suggested she didn’t want to damage Jimmy’s memory.
• Charlie Connery, whose brother Tommy was one of the surviving stabbing victims, witnessed the stabbing and detailed the incident.
  • 19 years old, 16 at time of incident; knew Jimmy from childhood sports.
  • Described 30 people drinking at Tyler Rich’s house.
  • Told Valle and friends to leave before fight began.
  • Witnessed Valle get punched by Tyler Rich, then a fight broke out.
  • Watched the fight from a distance; aware Valle had a knife.
  • Said Jimmy didn’t participate in the fight.
  • Yelled “he has a knife!” when he saw Valle with it.
  • Valle then turned and stabbed Jimmy in the upper stomach/chest.
  • Heard Jimmy say, “I’ve been stabbed,” then collapse.
  • Insisted Valle went at Jimmy “with a purpose”; and said Jimmy didn’t have a weapon.
    • WATCH: Eyewitness: Raul Valle Went After Jimmy McGrath ‘With A Purpose’
  • On cross, Connery said he saw the fight video about 10 times, and met twice with state attorney.
  • Couldn’t recall seeing Jimmy in basement; wasn’t sure exactly where he was.
  • Said there were two fights happening; kept distance from Valle.
  • Didn’t see anyone follow Valle to the car before the stabbing.
  • Valle “went straight at Mr. McGrath”; Jimmy was just a bystander.
• The defense made a motion to acquit, and then the prosecution delivered a counter-argument.
  • • WATCH: Raul Valle Defense Seeks Acquittal, State Says Stabbings Were Intentional
  • After taking the arguments into consideration, the judge denied the defense’s request.
• Raul Valle took the stand in his own defense.
  • WATCH: Preppy Party Murder: Raul Valle Says Jack Snyder ‘Tossed a Knife To Me’
  • On direct, Valle’s defense attorney walked him through his childhood and to the day of the incident.
  • Claimed he had no intent to fight, said the group was just looking for another party after being kicked out of the first one.
  • Portrayed himself as scared and confused, described partygoers surrounding their car, yelling, hitting it, and rocking it, causing him to panic.
  • Said he was sprayed in the face with WD-40, claimed this happened before he had a weapon.
  • Testified that Jack Snyder tossed him the knife, said he didn’t bring a weapon and was surprised when Snyder gave it to him.
  • Admitted keeping the knife in his pocket when he and DaSilva returned to the second house.
  • Said 40 people surrounded them outside the second house and that he was blocked from DaSilva by a “wall of people.”
  • Denied throwing punches or using the helmet as a weapon during the earlier fight at Lazy Brook Road.
  • Claimed he was trying to break up fights, not participate in them, especially in the first altercation involving Heinz and Snyder.
  • Described DaSilva and Trafacante as scared and upset, with Trafacante crying in the car during the chaos.
  • By the time court was in recess for the day, Valle and his defense attorney were at the point just before the deadly fight began.

CT v. Raul Valle: Preppy Party Murder Trial

Raul Valle is on trial for murder after a stabbing at a high school party left a 17-year-old lacrosse player dead and three others injured.

www.courttv.com