The case of a stabbing at a house party in Shelton that killed one teenager and injured three others isn’t over, despite the criminal trial against Raul Valle coming to an end on Wednesday.

Valle, who was 16 and a student at St. Joseph High School when he was charged, could still be prosecuted again.

He’s also one of more than 20 people facing lawsuits in civil court over the violence the night of May 14, 2022.

Jurors in Valle’s trial rendered a partial verdict, acquitting him of the most serious charges—murder and intentional first-degree manslaughter in the death of 17-year-old Jimmy McGrath, a star athlete at Fairfield Prep. Valle was also found not guilty of first-degree assault for stabbing injuries to Ryan Heinz and Tommy Connery and not guilty of second-degree assault for a stab wound to Faison Teele. But the jury was deadlocked on the lesser included charges of reckless first-degree manslaughter, reckless first-degree assault, and reckless second-degree assault, leading Judge Shari Murphy to declare a mistrial on those. The result means Valle, now 20, may face another trial.

“I never want to predict what is going to happen because I just don't know, but I would be incredibly surprised if they [the prosecution] don't refile on those charges,” attorney Kevin Black told News 12.

Black is not connected to the case but has a unique perspective as a former prosecutor turned defense attorney. He spent five years with the Danbury State’s Attorney’s Office prosecuting felony cases like this one.

“They can go back on the manslaughter charges for the reckless conduct and the assault one for the reckless conduct, which carry incredibly significant penalties,” Black explained, adding that the outcome of this trial shouldn’t prevent prosecutors from moving forward with another if they believe in their case. “These particular jurors had a different take on the evidence, but that doesn’t mean they can't prove their case to a different set of people.”

Valle's attorney Kevin Smith didn't address reporters outside the courthouse after the verdict or allow his client to.

“Kevin knows that this is probably not the last we've heard about this case or a prosecution involving this case, so, anything they say can be used down the road. They want to be rightfully careful in saying anything,” Black said. “I think Kevin is in a complete waiting game right now, and if I know Kevin, and I do—I know him personally for a long time—he’s already preparing.”

On Thursday, Smith said he couldn’t comment specifically on the verdict, but he released the following statement: “At this time, as all the families involved reflect on the outcome, we simply wish to express our gratitude to the jurors for their dedication, our respect for Judge Murphy and her studiousness and fairness throughout the trial, our admiration for the decency and integrity with which attorneys Durso and Messina conducted themselves, and our deepest thanks to the good men and women of the clerks and judicial marshals offices for ensuring the safe and orderly conduct of the courtroom for all involved.”

Regardless of what happens on the criminal side, there's recourse for McGrath's loved ones in civil court.

“We intend to pursue that for them,” stated attorney Michael Rosnick, who represents the McGrath family.

The McGraths have filed several lawsuits against anyone they believe participated in the chain of events that led to McGrath’s death. That includes Valle and his parents, along with Valle’s two classmates who received immunity to testify against him at trial—Tyler Dasilva and Jack Snyder—and their parents. The other St. Joe’s boys who were in the SUV with Valle—but who weren’t part of the fight—are named in one lawsuit as well, along with their parents. There are also civil cases against the host of the Laurel Glen Drive party where the fight occurred, his parents, and the owners of the home on Lazy Brook Road where the first party with underage drinking occurred.

“When you're in civil court, the burden of proof is not that a plaintiff must prove a claim beyond a reasonable doubt. We use the term preponderance of the evidence, another way of saying more likely than not, or to use a see-saw example: 51% to 49%,” Rosnick explained. “We brought several different types of claims that we believe are supported by the evidence.”

The claims include wrongful death, negligence, recklessness, parental liability, host liability and loss of consortium, among others. Rosnick said testimony from the criminal trial will factor into the civil cases, including where the alcohol from that night came from.

“We're confident that we are going to prevail on our claims, but we do understand, just like with the criminal case, it's going to take time,” Rosnick told News 12, adding that he couldn’t give a timeline for when any of the cases would be resolved.