Raul Valle, now 20, is on trial for the murder of Connecticut high school student James McGrath, who was fatally stabbed during a violent altercation at an alcohol-fueled house party in May 2022.
Valle, who was 16 at the time, took the stand in his own defense this week, claiming he acted in self-defense when he allegedly stabbed McGrath and three others in the chaotic confrontation. Valle testified that he was “terrified” for his life during the incident and said he was “just stabbing in every direction” to defend himself from an attack.
Valle’s Account of the Night
During his testimony in Milford Superior Court, Valle described the fatal stabbing as a blur. He said that when he was “jumped” by a group of people at the party, “everything just went black.” Valle claimed he didn’t even realize he had stabbed McGrath until after the fact, saying he was swinging the knife in a panic.
“I kept flailing my arm around… terrified,” Valle said, explaining that his actions were out of fear for his safety. According to Valle, the fight had started earlier in the evening after a brawl with one of the stabbing victims, though he did not go into specifics about the altercation leading up to the fatal fight.
A Rivalry Between Schools
Valle, a student at St. Joseph’s High School in Trumbull, and McGrath, along with the other victims, attended the rival Fairfield College Preparatory School in Fairfield. The schools’ rivalry was noted during the trial, as it was suggested that tensions from earlier in the evening contributed to the escalating violence.
Valle’s defense lawyer, Kevin Smith, argued that the situation escalated from this earlier brawl, with Valle being provoked by the victims.
Valle’s Actions on the Night of the Stabbing
Valle admitted during questioning that he was the only one with a weapon that night, a knife he pulled from his pocket in the heat of the moment. “I was just swinging at anybody who was coming at me,” Valle explained.
He emphasized his fear and confusion, claiming he couldn’t see who he was stabbing or feel the impact of the blade during the fight. Valle testified that he did not approach McGrath or intentionally stab him, adding that it was an act of desperation rather than an intentional attack.
The Fatal Outcome and Aftermath
McGrath, 17, was fatally stabbed in the chest during the fight. Valle was charged as an adult with murder, evading arrest, and other charges. After the stabbing, Valle reportedly turned himself in and was released on a $2 million bond. He expressed feeling “hopeless” and “scared” in the moments leading to the violent incident.
In addition to Valle, two parents, Susanna and Paul Leifer, were arrested for allegedly providing alcohol to minors at the party. The couple, who hosted the event, were convicted in January 2024 and sentenced to accelerated rehabilitation for allowing the underage drinking.
The Trial Continues
As the trial progresses, the jury will have to weigh Valle’s claim of self-defense against the evidence presented, including the fact that he was the only one armed during the fight.
With Valle’s account of the stabbing still fresh, the defense will likely continue to argue that the young man was acting out of fear for his life. However, the prosecution will work to prove that Valle’s actions went beyond self-defense, leading to the tragic death of McGrath.
The tragic death of James McGrath and the violent altercation at the party highlight the dangers of underage drinking and the consequences of reacting in panic during a fight.
While Valle claims he was defending himself, the case will ultimately come down to how the court interprets his actions that night. The outcome of the trial will determine whether he is held accountable for the killing or found to have acted in self-defense under the intense pressure of the moment.
