Connecticut Teen on Trial for Fatal Stabbing of Private School Lacrosse Star at House Party

McGrath (pictured) was on the lacrosse team at Fairfield College Prep School in Connecticut

A violent altercation over stolen beer has led to a high-profile murder trial in the affluent town of Shelton, Connecticut, where 20-year-old Raul Elias Valle is facing 14 charges, including first-degree murder, for the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old lacrosse standout James McGrath.

The deadly incident occurred on May 14, 2022, during a house party on Laurel Glen Drive. Prosecutors allege that Valle, then 16 and a student at St. Joseph High School, used a pocketknife to stab four teenagers following a clash between rival school groups. McGrath, a celebrated athlete from the nearby Fairfield College Preparatory School, died after being stabbed in the chest.

Raul Elias Valle (pictured), 20, is on trial over the murder of high school athlete James McGrath, 17, at a boozy gathering which spiraled out of control on the night of May 14, 2022

Valle was initially released on a $2 million bond posted by his parents and is now being tried as an adult in Connecticut Superior Court in Milford. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and rejected a plea deal, potentially facing up to 60 years in prison if convicted.

During testimony, Valle admitted under questioning that he stabbed four individuals a total of nine times, but claimed he could not recall the exact moments of the attack. "I don't know. I guess so. Yes," Valle responded when asked if he caused the wounds. He described being swarmed by other teens and said he began "waving and just stabbing in every direction."

Taylor Capela, a former Shelton High School student, testified during Valle's murder trial

Among the injured were Faison Teele, Ryan Heinz, and Thomas Connery. Witness Taylor Capela testified that McGrath was not involved in the fight and was observing the chaos when Valle lunged at him. She described witnessing blood soaking through his white shirt and recalled seeing other victims similarly wounded.

The confrontation was reportedly sparked by an earlier dispute at another party where Valle’s friend, Jack Snyder, admitted under an immunity deal that he had stolen beer from Heinz. Snyder testified that escalating insults in a group chat led them to confront the other group later that night. He also admitted giving Valle the knife before the confrontation but claimed Valle aggressively requested it. Valle, in contrast, testified that Snyder handed him the knife without explanation, and he pocketed it.

Charlie Connery (pictured) said McGrath was trying to avoid Valle when he was stabbed

Snyder stated that Valle later returned to the car visibly shaken, allegedly saying, "I think I just stabbed four people," and that he threw the knife into nearby woods—an act Valle denies. Snyder also admitted to sending a message in the group chat saying, "enjoy the hospital," which he claimed was not intended maliciously.

The court was shown disturbing video footage of the altercation, and emotional testimony from victims and witnesses painted a grim picture of the night’s events. Heinz recounted realizing he was stabbed only after noticing blood and hearing a gurgling noise from his collapsed lung.

The knife Valle used was never recovered, but an image of the brand was shown to the jury

Valle’s defense argues the stabbing was an act of self-defense in response to an overwhelming physical assault, describing the crowd as a “wall” of teenagers that threatened Valle and his friends.

The case has drawn intense attention, highlighting issues of youth violence, privilege, and the consequences of teen conflict spiraling out of control. The trial is expected to continue for several more weeks.