Grandfather videotaped Fargo dentist's home to aid accused murderer, documents say

FARGO - The father-in-law of slain Fargo dentist Philip Gattuso told his handyman, who is accused of Gattuso’s murder, that he wanted his son-in-law “gone or dead,” according to charges filed Tuesday.

Gene Kirkpatrick, 63, of Oklahoma City, was charged in Cass County District Court with conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit burglary. According to the warrant that allowed Oklahoma police to arrest Kirkpatrick at his home Monday night, Kirkpatrick also told investigators that Michael Nakvinda, who is charged with Gattuso’s murder, gave Kirkpatrick a video camera and told him to videotape Gattuso’s residence, which he did during a trip in early October.

Kirkpatrick told investigators that he agreed to pay Nakvinda $3,000, with an additional $10,000 to be paid at a later date. Gattuso's death made an orphan of Kennedy Gattuso, the 3-year-old daughter of the Fargo dentist and his now-deceased wife, Valerie.

Earlier this afternoon, Kirkpatrick told a judge during a court hearing that he would refuse extradition to North Dakota. The Oklahoma grandfather told Oklahoma County District Judge Ray Elliott he wanted to “stay here and fight extradition.”

The judge told Kirkpatrick the next step is an extradition hearing in 30 to 60 days. The judge told Kirkpatrick he will be ordered to North Dakota against his will if North Dakota officials prove he is the man they want.

Bond was denied. Kirkpatrick was not happy with the way Gattuso was raising his 3-year-old daughter since the death of his wife in March, authorities said.

Valerie Gattuso was Kirkpatrick’s daughter.

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The Oklahoma City Oklahoman newspaper contributed to this article.

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