Susanna and Paul Leifer
SHELTON – Police accused a Shelton couple of allowing minors to possess alcohol during a party at their house in May 2022. High school students left the party and then got into a fight that led to the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old James McGrath, police said.
Paul and Susanna Leifer, 59 and 51 years of age, are charged with second-degree reckless endangerment and permitting minors to possess alcohol.
Police said the Leifers allowed a party to be held at their Lazy Brook Drive house in Shelton on May 14, 2022.
“Several high school students attended this party where alcohol was present,” police wrote in a prepared statement. “During the investigation, it was revealed that Susanna had interactions with some of the attendees.”
A fight broke out at the party, police said. The party was broken up. The Connecticut Post reported the partiers left the Leifer house to attend another party on Laurel Glen Drive. Another fight broke out there, resulting in James McGrath getting stabbed by 17-year-old Raul Valle.
Valle has been charged with murder and three counts of first-degree assault, according to the Post.
The Leifers are scheduled to appear in court on April 3 in Derby.
