FARGO, N.D. (AP) -- An Oklahoma man sentenced to life in prison for arranging the murder of his North Dakota son-in-law now faces a wrongful death lawsuit.
The brother of slain Fargo dentist Philip Gattuso (guh-TOO'-soh) filed the suit against Gene Kirkpatrick. Roy Gattuso and his brother's orphaned daughter are named as plaintiffs. Roy Gattuso lives in Louisiana and has custody of 5-year-old Kennedy Gattuso.
Philip Gattuso was beaten to death with a hammer about two years ago. Kirkpatrick's handyman, Michael Nakvinda, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Kirkpatrick was later convicted of calling for the hit. Authorities say Kirkpatrick didn't want his son-in-law raising Kirkpatrick's granddaughter after her mother died in April 2009 following an extended illness
