The attorney representing Raul Valle believes the case will be dropped on the grounds that the charges brought against him after a jury found him not guilty on more serious offenses tied to the death of James “Jimmy” McGrath and related stabbings violate double jeopardy laws.
Valle, 20, appeared Tuesday in Superior Court in Milford where Stamford-based attorney Darnell Crosland filed an appearance to represent him. The case was continued to March 25.
“Raul Valle has already been acquitted by a jury of his peers on the most serious charges, after a full trial where the evidence was thoroughly examined,” Crosland said in a written statement issued following the hearing.
“In all cases ⏤ as in the case ⏤ we are obligated to respect the decision of the jury,” he said. “Under normal circumstances, the state in respecting the jury’s decision on the acquittal will typically allow the prosecution to end with the jury’s verdict. It is our hope that the prosecution understands that the quickest way for both of these families to obtain a level of closure, is not to put them through another lengthy trial.”
According to Crosland, the presiding judge is aware of the “serious legal issues” surrounding the case and has asked him to address double jeopardy concerns in formal motions.
“We are confident the court will grant the relief sought in these motions which will end this prosecution and allow both families to start the healing process,” Crosland said. “Mr. Valle, who was just 16 at the time of the incident, has endured years of legal proceedings while trying to move forward with his life.”
Following a trial, a 12-member jury in July found Valle not guilty of murder and first-degree manslaughter with intent in the death of McGrath, a student at Fairfield College Preparatory School who was fatally stabbed outside a Shelton house party on May 14, 2022. The verdict also found Valle not guilty of first-degree intentional assault in the nonfatal stabbings of Ryan Heinz and Thomas Connery and not guilty of second-degree intentional assault in the stabbing of Faison Teele.
Valle was tried as an adult and was represented by New Haven-based attorney Kevin Smith.
Jurors were deadlocked on the lesser charges, which led to a judge ruling a mistrial on those offenses. Prosecutors then filed an amended information to pursue those charges, which include one count each of first-degree reckless manslaughter and second-degree reckless assault and two counts of first-degree reckless assault.
During two previous court appearances, a judge granted Valle continuances to hire an attorney or file an application for a public defender. A judge had told him the hearing on Tuesday would be his last chance to get an attorney after Valle said the cost of paying a lawyer to represent him for the trial put his family under financial hardship.
“I kind of look at it as another high-priced lawyer coming in and going through the motions,” McGrath’s father, Kevin McGrath, told reporters outside the courthouse on Tuesday.
“I think everybody wants resolution to this,” he said.
“We’ve never lost our confidence in the justice system,” Kevin McGrath said.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that led to the loss of James McGrath and the injuries to others involved,” Crosland said in his statement. “Our thoughts remain with all the families affected by this incident.”
Crosland is a prominent attorney in the state who has represented defendants in multiple high profile cases. His previous clients include former UConn star and NBA player Ben Gordon and Michelle Troconis.
Crosland had threatening and weapons charges against Gordon dropped after he successfully completed a probationary program. The charges were filed following a disturbance in a juice shop in Stamford in April 2023.
Crosland also represented Troconis on contempt charges and successfully had those offenses dropped last June. The charges were filed after she was seen viewing a sealed custody report during her trial in 2024 in connection with the disappearance and death of Jennifer Farber Dulos.