Jury selection is now set for Dec. 3 in the trial of a Milford teen accused of killing a Fairfield Prep student at a house party in Shelton.

Raul "Lito" Valle, 19, is charged with murder and three counts of assault in a fight that left Jimmy McGrath, 17, dead and three other teens injured. It happened in May 2022. Valle was 16 at the time but charged as an adult.

Jury selection was previously scheduled to begin Wednesday at Milford Superior Court, but Valle hired a new attorney in recent months, Kevin Smith, who filed a motion to delay the proceedings.

During Wednesday's hearing, Smith said he is still waiting for reports from defense experts. Judge Shari Murphy granted the request, and said the return of that discovery could prompt additional settlement negotiations.

Last year, Valle rejected a plea deal that called for him to spend 40 years in prison.

Murphy also scheduled the trial to begin Jan. 6 but added she's open to moving that date up or back as needed.

"I do understand that expeditious resolution in the matter is best for everyone," Murphy stated.

Smith initially represented Valle after his arrest, but Smith split with his law partner at the time, Norm Pattis, and Pattis' firm continued on the case. Valle switched his counsel back to Smith over the summer.

After court, McGrath's father called the postponement "a little frustrating," and referenced the amount of time that's passed since losing his son. "Really the only thing I can say is two years, four months, three days, and they're still not ready?" Kevin McGrath told News 12.

"Unfortunately, the wheels of justice do not move as quickly as we would like, but the wheels are moving, and we are confident that justice is coming. That day is coming," added attorney Michael Rosnick, who represents the McGrath family. Valle remains free on $2 million bond but on house arrest.

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