Raul Valle, of Milford, was back in Milford Superior Court for the first time in just over three months, when a jury there delivered a partial verdict, acquitting Valle of murder in the death of Fairfield Prep athlete Jimmy McGrath, 17, of Shelton. On Wednesday, Valle briefly went before a judge for what could be Round 2 in the case, now on lesser charges the jury deadlocked on.

“I’m requesting more time, please, to seek counsel,” Valle told Judge Kevin Russo. “Financially, my family took a big toll with the last court proceedings and stuff, so I need more time to find counsel.”

"Have you or your family been searching for an attorney?” Russo asked.

“Yes, extensively,” Valle answered.

Russo gave Valle a new date of Nov. 17, despite Valle requesting one that’s further out.

“Right now, I'm satisfied with that timeline,” Russo responded.

Valle is no longer represented by Kevin Smith, who was his attorney at trial. Valle was arrested in May 2022, accused of stabbing four Shelton teens during a fight at a high house house party in Shelton. McGrath was killed, while Ryan Heinz, Tommy Connery and Faison Teele were all hospitalized with injuries. Valle was 16 at the time but charged as an adult.

On July 9, after nine days of evidence, the jury found Valle not guilty of murder, intentional first-degree manslaughter, two counts of first-degree assault and one count of second-degree assault. But jurors couldn't reach a consensus on charges of reckless first-degree manslaughter, reckless first-degree assault, and reckless second-degree assault, leading the prosecution to refile on those charges.

“We know it's going to be a long haul, and we're in it for the long haul,” Jimmy McGrath’s father, Kevin McGrath, told reporters outside the courthouse. “So, our goal in the end is just to hold the person that took my son's life accountable.”

Whoever ends up representing Valle is expected to dispute whether the proceedings can legally move forward.

"Patience is an appropriate word, especially if we want to get to the word justice. So, whatever it takes to get justice, we're in it together. We have confidence in the state's attorney's office, and we look forward to that day,” said attorney Michael Rosnick, who represents the McGrath family.

During the trial, jurors heard from 26 witnesses, including Valle. He was the only person to take the stand in his defense and testified he used a knife that night because he feared for his and his friend’s safety. But the prosecution called a parade of witnesses who told a different story. Two people testified McGrath wasn’t part of the brawl that broke out and was backing up when he was stabbed.

The McGraths have filed lawsuits against Valle, his parents, the other St. Joseph High School students who were with Valle and their parents. They’ve settled lawsuits against the owners of the home where the party took place, and the owners of the home where a party occurred earlier that night.