Man pleads guilty in deadly Downtown Fargo brawl outside the HoDo

FARGO, N.D. – A man charged for his role in a fatal brawl outside a downtown Fargo bar in May of last year has pleaded guilty to lesser charges.

In a deal with prosecutors, Darren Patterson pleaded guilty to negligent homicide in the death of James Grant outside the HoDo.

Patterson also entered an Alford plea on one count of aggravated assault, meaning he doesn’t admit wrongdoing even though there’s enough evidence for a conviction.

Authorities say Grant fell after he was punched by Patterson and hit his head on the sidewalk. He never regained consciousness and died the following month. Patterson is also accused of punching two other men.

Prosecutor Ryan Younggren says this deal was a matter of compromise between the two parties.

“In these cases, the state, when a plea happens, largely feels like there could have been more and the defense largely feels that there could have been less, so in these circumstances, you meet somewhere in the middle,” Ryan Younggren with the Cass County State’s Attorney’s Office said.

The prosecution recommends Patterson serve 18 months in prison.

Sentencing is expected to take place later this summer.