Former North Dakota prosecutor pleads guilty to murdering ex-wife during child custody exchange

WARREN, Minn. — A former North Dakota prosecutor and lawyer plead guilty to murdering his ex-wife Thursday, July 6.

The attack happened in front of their kids during a child exchange last August.

Anders Odegaard, 32, entered an Alford plea to second-degree murder. An Alford plea means he’s not admitting he murdered his wife, but there is enough evidence to convict.

The plea deal calls for him to serve 18 years in prison, about six years more than the recommended sentence under Minnesota’s sentencing guidelines.

Last year Anders Odegaard, who once served as the prosecutor in Mercer County and as a public defender in Stark County, beat his 31-year-old ex-wife wife Carissa to death inside his home in Warren, according to police.

It happened during a child exchange so Carissa Odegaard could bring the couple’s five children to church.

At the time of the attack Carissa Odegaard was holding their 3-year-old son.

Another son ran and stopped a passing car to call 911.

Anders Odegaard will be formally sentenced in August.

Matt Henson is an Emmy award-winning reporter/photographer/editor for WDAY. Prior to joining WDAY in 2019, Matt was the main anchor at WDAZ in Grand Forks for four years. He was born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia and attended college at Lyndon State College in northern Vermont, where he was recognized twice nationally, including first place, by the National Academy for Arts and Science for television production. Matt enjoys being a voice for the little guy. He focuses on crimes and courts and investigative stories. Just as often, he shares tear-jerking stories and stories of accomplishment. Matt enjoys traveling to small towns across North Dakota and Minnesota to share their stories. He can be reached at mhenson@wday.com and at 610-639-9215. When he’s not at work (rare) Matt resides in Moorhead and enjoys spending time with his daughter, golfing and attending Bison and Sioux games.