Charges updated for suspect in N.D. dentist slaying

FARGO (AP) — Charges against an Oklahoma man accused of killing a North Dakota dentist have been changed.

Michael Nakvinda pleaded not guilty Thursday in Cass County District Court to intentional homicide, a charge that was amended from felony murder. The 42-year-old from Oklahoma City also face charges of robbery, burglary and theft in the Oct. 26 killing of Philip Gattuso.

Authorities believe that Gene Kirkpatrick, the father of Gattuso's late wife, paid Nakvinda $3,000 to kill Gattuso because he did not agree with the way his granddaughter was being raised. Nakvinda once worked as Kirkpatrick's handyman.

Nakvinda's trial has been delayed until Nov. 30.

Kirkpatrick, of Jones, Okla., faces a murder conspiracy charge and is scheduled for trial in October.

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