Susanna Leifer, Paul Leifer party had minors, alcohol: cops
Susanna Leifer, Paul Leifer (via Shelton (Conn.) Police Department).
Connecticut police have arrested parents who they say served alcohol to high school students at a party that preceded a fight that left a teenage boy dead.
Paul Leifer, 59, and Susanna Leifer, 51, of Shelton, were arrested Thursday, the Shelton Police Department said. Both are accused of allowing minors to possess alcohol, Susanna Leifer is also accused of second-degree negligent endangerment.
The arrests stem from a party the Leifers were holding at their home in Shelton on May 14, 2022.
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“Several high school students attended this party where alcohol was present,” the police statement said. “During the investigation, it emerged that Susanna had interacted with some of the participants.”
A fight apparently broke out at the party, which was then “broken up,” police said.
However, some of those attending that party “left and engaged in a subsequent fight in town that resulted in the stabbing death of James McGrath.”
Under Connecticut law, permitting, or failing to prevent, the illegal possession of alcohol in a home or on private property by a minor is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 and up to one year prison is punished. Second-degree reckless endangerment is a Class B misdemeanor and carries a possible prison sentence of up to six months and a maximum fine of $1,000.
17-year-old McGrath was stabbed to death during a fight at this second location, about 1 1/2 miles from the Leifer home. Three other students were also injured.
Days later, police arrested Raul Valle, then 16, and charged him with murder and assault. Valle, who faces charges as an adult, has reportedly turned himself in. According to court documents, he was released on $2 million bail and is scheduled to appear in court on April 25.
According to local CBS affiliate WFSB, Valle was a student at St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, a rival high school to McGrath’s Fairfield Prep.
An attorney for the McGrath family told WFSB that the boy’s parents intend to file a lawsuit at some point in the future.
“The actions of the Leifers contributed to an environment conducive to underage drinking, leading to a chain of events that eventually led to the unfortunate death of James McGrath,” attorney Michael Rosnick told the station.
Shelton Police say the Laives were released with a promise to appear and were given a court date for April 3.
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