Man gets prison time for beating 'drinking buddy' to death in Fargo Darrell Peterson blacked out during a night of drinking and doesn't remember killing Duane Darling, his attorney said. 12:55 pm, Mar. 1, 2021 × Darrell Peterson appears with his attorney Nicholas Dwight Thornton at a felony change of plea Monday, March 1, in district court, Fargo, for the Nov. 13, 2019, beating death of Duane Darling. Michael Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor FARGO — A 44-year-old Fargo man will likely spend nearly three decades in prison for beating his friend to death with a plant stand more than a year ago in a Fargo apartment. Darrell Clinton Peterson, no address, said he was sorry Monday, March 1, in Cass County District Court before Judge Steven McCollough sentenced him to 28 years in prison for killing 64-year-old Duane Darling.