Paul and Susanna Leifer: Connecticut couple arrested for hosting teenage drinking house party that led to James McGrath's murder
SHELTON, CONNECTICUT: Connecticut couple, Paul and Susanna Leifer, were arrested for allegedly hosting an underage teenage drinking house party that led to the death of a 17-year-old prep school student James McGrath.
The couple from Shelton was arrested on Thursday, March 9. Paul, 59, was charged with permitting minors to possess alcohol while his 51-year-old wife, Susanna, was additionally charged with second-degree reckless endangerment. As of now, the couple was released on the condition that they would return before a judge and are expected in Derby Superior Court on April 3, according to the Hartford Courant.
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The Leifers' connection to the incident
Paul and Susanna are charged in connection with the death of Fairfield Prep junior James Jimmy McGrath on May 14, 2022. Police allege that the 17-year-old St Joseph’s High School student Raul Valle attended the Leifers’ party where alcohol was supplied by the couple before he stabbed McGrath to death during a fight at another party on Laurel Glen Drive, according to a report by WFSB.
The fight between the St Joseph’s students and those from Fairfield and Shelton High Schools reportedly began when uninvited peers crashed the Leifers’ party. In the fight, several other minors were injured, some in critical condition.
During the investigation, police said it was revealed that Susanna Leifer had interactions with some of the attendees although they did not specify what those interactions were.
"After the Lazy Brook Drive party was dispersed, some of the attendees left and engaged in a subsequent fight in town which resulted in the stabbing death of James McGrath," police revealed.
McGrath's family is still in mourning and will pursue a lawsuit against the Liefers in the future. Michael Rosnick, the attorney representing the McGrath family, told WFSB, "The actions of the Leifers contributed to an environment that encouraged underage drinking which resulted in a chain of events that ultimately led to the unfortunate death of James McGrath."
Raul Valle released on $2 million bail
Raul Valle was arrested and charged as a minor a few days after the fatal stabbing. Besides, Valle, three more students were arrested in connection with the incident. According to the Connecticut Post, earlier this week, Valle, who is under home confinement after being released on $2 million bail, received permission from a judge to attend church services.