{"id":32407,"date":"2022-06-03T16:13:54","date_gmt":"2022-06-03T16:13:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/?p=32407"},"modified":"2022-06-03T16:13:54","modified_gmt":"2022-06-03T16:13:54","slug":"james-mcgraths-parents-call-for-justice-process-to-play-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/2022\/06\/03\/james-mcgraths-parents-call-for-justice-process-to-play-out\/","title":{"rendered":"James McGrath\u2019s parents call for justice process to \u2018play out\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

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BRIDGEPORT \u2014 The parents of the Shelton teen killed at a house party last month held a news conference Friday, calling on the public to peacefully let the criminal justice process \u201cplay out\u201d as they mourn their son\u2019s death.<\/p>\n

At the crowded news conference, James McGrath\u2019s father raised concerns about the Memorial Day brawl at Walnut Beach in Milford<\/a>, where police have said several officers were hurt who were trying to break up a fight.<\/p>\n

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Kevin McGrath said his family is calling \ufeff\u201cfor a period of peace and deescalation.\u201d<\/p>\n

He stressed that people should not speak out in anger regarding his son\u2019s death or engage in altercations. They\u2019ve heard of three conflicts connected with the slaying and would like such events to stop.<\/p>\n

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\u201cAny violence resulting from this matter would be a dishonor to Jimmy\u2019s name,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n


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Milford police have not said whether the beach brawl was connected with James McGrath\u2019s death.<\/p>\n

A 16-year-old Milford teen, Raul Eliah Valle, a student at St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, is facing murder and first-degree assault charges in McGrath\u2019s May 14 stabbing death at a house party Laurel Glen Drive in Shelton.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe fate of Raul and his accomplices are in the hands of the criminal justice system, as they should be,\u201d Kevin McGrath said.<\/p>\n

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\u201cAlthough Jimmy has passed, what our family has experienced is nothing short of a miracle. Our strength is derived from our community (and their faith),\u201d Kevin McGrath added.<\/p>\n

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McGrath said the family is not considering any legal action right now and is instead focused on finding justice for their son. He said he plans to attend each court hearing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have my feelings, but most important is convictions,\u201d McGrath said. He added that their family will try to aid other people who have recently lost children and young people in Shelton.<\/p>\n

The news conference marked Margaret and Kevin McGrath\u2019s first public comments since they appeared last month at a lacrosse game between Shelton High School and Fairfield Prep, where their son attended.<\/p>\n

Rosie McGrath, James\u2019s sister, said her brother was her best friend. His passion and drive will alter her life moving forward, she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want justice for him,\u201d she said. \u201cHe\u2019ll forever live on with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

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