Raul Valle attorney seeks dismissal of reckless charges on double jeopardy grounds
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 8
Raul Valle attorney seeks dismissal of reckless charges on double jeopardy grounds
10 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 8
Darnell Crosland asked a Connecticut court to throw out reckless manslaughter and assault counts filed after Valle's July 2025 acquittal on murder and intentional manslaughter over the 2022 stabbing of Jimmy McGrath.
He argued the acquittals could only reflect a finding of self-defence, while prosecutors said the deadlocked jury showed only that Valle lacked intent, leaving reckless charges unresolved.
Valle, now 19, admitted the stabbing during a drunken brawl involving about 25 youths in Milford; the case stems from a 2022 fight between students from St Joseph and Fairfield Prep.
He admitted the fatal stabbing. Will a legal principle now prevent a final verdict on his self-defense claim?
Can a murder acquittal block a new trial if the jury never even discussed the defendant’s self-defense claim?