Milford teen charged in Fairfield Prep student James McGrath’s death heads to adult court today
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DERBY — A Milford teen charged with murder in the stabbing death of 17-year-old Fairfield Prep student James McGrath is expected to appear before a state judge in adult court on Thursday.
The 16-year-old, whose name has not been released, was arrested Wednesday and arraigned that day in New Haven Juvenile Court. Police said the teen, who is a student at St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, was held on $2 million bond.
The Milford resident’s case has been transferred to adult court and he will appear Thursday in state Superior Court in Derby. The case will then be transferred to Milford Superior Court where the most serious crimes are heard.
The teen has been charged with murder and three counts of assault in connection with the incident, which police said occurred late Saturday night at a Shelton house party and sent three other people to the hospital.
Around 11:55 p.m., first responders were called to a home for a reported fight and stabbing, Shelton police said this week. At the scene, authorities found “numerous teenagers outside of a residence,” including four victims who had been stabbed, police said.
The four victims were hospitalized and McGrath was later pronounced dead, police said.
McGrath, a Fairfield Prep lacrosse player, was honored Wednesday night before a game against Shelton High.
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“Jimmy doesn’t want us to cry for him. Jimmy’s up there with his friends, his cousins who have passed. They’re up there looking down upon us today,” his father Kevin McGrath told the crowd of about 1,000 people.
In a statement posted on the St. Joseph High Facebook page, the school also offered its support to the Fairfield Prep community.
“St. Joseph High School holds the Fairfield Prep School Community close to our hearts and in our prayers,” the post said. “There are no words to properly describe such sadness in the wake of this devastating and profound loss of young life filled with such great promise. We call upon our community to offer prayers for the Fairfield Prep Community and the McGrath family as they grieve the death of a student and cherished classmate.”
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