Oklahoma Man Accused in North Dakota Dentist Killing Out on Bond

Staff and Wire Reports

FARGO, N.D. -- An Oklahoma man accused of hiring his handyman to kill a Fargo dentist has posted bond and been released from jail.

The Cass County sheriff's office says 63-year-old Gene Kirkpatrick of Jones, Okla., posted a $1 million bond on Thursday afternoon. He faces conspiracy charges.

"He has entered a plea of not guilty and we're preparing our defense. It's been difficult since he's been in Fargo all this time," said Irven Box, Kirkpatrick's attorney.

Kirkpatrick was scheduled to be back in a Fargo courtroom next Thursday, but that's now been delayed.

Kirkpatrick is accused of paying Michael Nakvinda $3,000 to kill Philip Gattuso, who was Kirkpatrick's son-in-law. Nakvinda has pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges.

Gattuso was found in his Fargo home beaten to death with a hammer Oct. 26. Kirkpatrick allegedly arranged the killing because he did not agree with the way his granddaughter was being raised. Gattuso's wife, Valerie, died in March after an extended illness.

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