Trial begins in ND murder-for-hire scheme
The lawyer for a man accused of killing a Fargo dentist in a murder-for-hire scheme says his client was framed for a murder he didn't commit.
Michael Nakvinda of Oklahoma City is accused of beating Philip Gattuso to death with a hammer last year in exchange for $3,000 from Gattuso's former father-in-law. Nakvinda has pleaded not guilty in state court to charges of intentional homicide, robbery, burglary and theft.
Defense attorney Steven Mottinger said in his opening statement Tuesday that Gene Kirkpatrick, the father of Gattuso's late wife, devised the plan to frame Nakvinda. Mottinger said Nakvinda wasn't in Fargo when the murder was committed.
Prosecutors said Tuesday they plan to call Kirkpatrick as a witness.
Judge Frank Racek estimates the trial will last between six and nine days.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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