After posting a $2 million bond, a Connecticut student accused of stabbing a private school’s star lacrosse player to death during a quarrel at a house party was released.
Jimmy McGrath, 17, was stabbed to death during a dispute at a house party in Shelton earlier this month, and Raul Eliah Valle, 16, of Milford, has been charged with murder. In addition, he is charged with three charges of first-degree assault.
Valle’s attorneys submitted an application to modify Valle’s bond on Monday, but a Superior Court judge turned it down. The adolescent, though, made the $2 million bond a few hours later.
It’s unknown how he came up with the money.
Valle was ordered to stay at home and be watched 24 hours a day. Valle is allowed to leave for medical and legal appointments, but he must first obtain permission from probation. He was also required to surrender his passport. It’s unknown how the family was able to post the bond or how much of it they were able to pay.
Valle kept his head down and was accompanied by a loved one as he walked out of the courthouse on Monday, according to photos published by the Connecticut Post. He remained silent on the subject. Valle’s next appearance in court is scheduled for July 15.
Valle, a $7,500-a-year student at Trumbull’s St. Joseph High School, was arrested four days after the May 14 alcohol-fueled brawl that killed Fairfield Prep student McGrath and injured three others.
Valle attended a home party in Shelton for classmates from his school, St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, according to an arrest warrant, Greenwichtime.com said.
A group of kids from Shelton High School arrived late at night, and a fight broke out between groups from the two schools.
After the brawl ended, the Shelton High students headed for another home party on Laurel Glen Drive, where Valle and his pals joined them.
A battle broke out on the front yard after Valle and his party were urged to leave, and several individuals were stabbed.
According to the warrant, a witness stated that after the incident, Valle got up and walked to his car, while McGrath stood nearby but did not pursue him.
In the warrant, Detective Richard Bango reports the witness as saying, ‘He indicated (Valle) then goes around and grabs his knife and stabs (McGrath) straight in the stomach and pulls it out.’
McGrath was stabbed in the chest and brought to a nearby hospital, where he eventually died.
According to his obituary, the 17-year-old, better known by his classmates as Jimmy, was a great lacrosse star for private school Fairfield.
In a statement released Monday, Fairfield Prep, a prestigious, all-male university that costs $23,000 per year, said of the high school junior’s death, “Jimmy was a beloved student and athlete on the football and lacrosse teams, and will forever be a member of the Prep Brotherhood.”
More than 1,000 people attended a private vigil for the student-athlete, which was hosted at the campus.
The tribute said, “Many remembered Jim as a genuinely joyful person with a big heart who was a caring friend to many.” ‘He adored his school, Fairfield Prep, and he excelled in every sport he participated in.’
President Christian Cashman remarked, “May God bless Jimmy McGrath, Class of 2023, forever a man for others, forever a son of Fairfield Prep.”
Friends and family of Kevin and Margaret McGrath have launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist them pay for their son’s burial.
The fundraiser has so far raised approximately $136,969, greatly exceeding its initial goal of $15,000.