MN man enters Alford guilty plea in deadly stabbing outside Fargo bar in 2024

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — The West Lakeland, Minnesota man charged in a fatal stabbing outside SouthTown PourHouse in Fargo has changed his plea to guilty and avoids going on trial.

Michael Diedrich entered an Alford plea, agreeing there would be enough evidence to convict him of the March 28, 2024 crime.

Diedrich stabbed and killed 22-year-old Ethan Larson of Newfolden, Minnesota during a fight outside the bar.

Witnesses told investigators they were walking into the bar when Larson approached them holding his chest and saying he was stabbed.

The bartender was able to identify both men based on their credit card information.

Officers arrested Diedrich after matching his driver’s license photo to video surveillance, and a description given by witnesses.

A pre-sentence investigation will be done before Diedrich is sentenced on March 26.