One Of Two Suspects In Emmet County Murder Case Enters Alford Plea

(Estherville)– One of the two suspects charged in the death of an Estherville man has entered an Alford plea, meaning there is insufficient evidence for a jury to convict him without actually admitting guilt. 19-year-old Connor Ude was originally charged with 1^st degree murder in the death of 20-year-old David McDowell, who’s body was found a year ago along a rural Emmet county road. The charge was amended to attempted murder and 3^rd degree kidnapping. In exchange, Ude has agreed to testify against a co-defendant in the case, Cejay Van Der Wilt. He’s scheduled to go on trial next week. Ude will be sentenced following that trial. He faces up 25 years on the attempted murder charge and 10 years behind bars on the kidnapping charge.