Man gets nearly 25 years in prison for fatal stabbing outside south Fargo bar in 2024

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — The West Lakeland, Minnesota man who fatally stabbed another man outside SouthTown PourHouse in Fargo nearly two year ago is sentenced to 24 1/2 years in prison.

29-year-old Michael Diedrich was sentenced in Cass County District Court for the murder of 22-year-old Ethan Larson of Newfolden, Minnesota.

Back in January, Diedrich entered an Alford plea, agreeing there would be enough evidence to convict him of the crime and avoided going to trial.

Diedrich stabbed Larson 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 had been stabbed.

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

Judge Reid Brady gave Diedrich 40 years in the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, but he will only serve 24 years and 6 months.

He was also given 5 years of probation and credit for already serving 728 days.