Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem says North Dakota has had only two murders so far this year. He says that's the lowest yearly number for the state in at least 30 years.

Stenehjem says North Dakota averages about 11 homicides annually for the past several years, after a high of 22 in 1993. 16 were reported last year.

Both homicide victims in North Dakota this year were stabbed to death.

Forty-three-year-old Paula Hartze, a teacher at the North Dakota School for the Deaf, was killed in her Devils Lake home in March.

An acquaintance, Billy Eagleman, is awaiting sentencing for her death.

Thirty-year-old Alden Fast Horse of Cannon Ball was stabbed to death at a Bismarck hotel in June. Two men have been charged with his death - one has pleaded guilty the other not guilty to murder.

Stenehjem says statistics show about half North Dakota's homicide victims die as a result of domestic violence. He says this year is the first year that where that was not the case. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list