Oklahoma City suspect knew in-laws, relatives say
Published: November 3, 2009
FARGO, N.D. — The Oklahoma City man accused of killing Fargo dentist Phillip Gattuso knew Gattuso’s in-laws, and they had tried to get custody of Gattuso’s 3-year-old daughter, Kennedy, relatives of both men said.
Michael Allen Nakvinda, 41, was charged Monday in Cass County District Court with murder, robbery, burglary and theft in connection with the Oct. 26 slaying. Nakvinda’s brother-in-law, James Funderburgh, said Nakvinda worked as a handyman in Oklahoma City and did jobs for Gene and Sharon Kirkpatrick, parents of Gattuso’s late wife, Valerie, who died in March after living with an artificial heart for 18 months. Gene Kirkpatrick was arrested Monday on a conspiracy to commit murder complaint, an Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman said. He’s accused of paying Nakvinda $3,000 to kill Phillip Gattuso, she said. Gattuso’s brother, Roy Gattuso, said after Nakvinda was arrested Saturday, Philip Gattuso’s son, Philip Gattuso Jr., was "in total, total shock” when he saw the suspect’s photo, Roy Gattuso said. Philip Gattuso Jr. recognized Nakvinda as the man who was doing handiwork at the Kirkpatricks’ home when he and his father visited Valerie there about a year ago, before her death, Roy Gattuso said. He said he’s concerned for Kennedy’s safety and has "taken every possible step” to get the girl away from the Kirkpatrick family. Last week, Roy Gattuso said he was satisfied that Kennedy was in the temporary custody of Valerie Gattuso’s sister, Regan Williams. His tune changed by Monday. "I’m going to do everything in my power to obtain permanent custody of Kennedy,” he said. He said the Kirkpatricks are preventing the girl from attending her father’s funeral scheduled Wednesday in Louisiana. Gene and Sharon Kirkpatrick did not return a message left at their residence Monday. They have not spoken publicly about Gattuso’s death. Calls to Williams’ listed phone number were not answered Monday, and there was no opportunity to leave a message. Nakvinda lived with his mother, Edith Wade, in Oklahoma City. Police questioned her when they arrested Nakvinda at the residence Saturday, said Funderburgh, the suspect’s brother-in-law who lives in Mesquite, Texas. "They actually called her and told her to come outside,” he said. "She asked Michael, ‘What is this about?’ and he just, you know, he wouldn’t answer her, wouldn’t say anything. She didn’t understand. She can’t comprehend anything about it.” Funderburgh said his mother-in-law told him afterward that police questioned her "concerning this Kirkpatrick.” Funderburgh said his brother-in-law is easily persuaded, and thinks that if he is responsible for Gattuso’s death, he didn’t act alone. Roy Gattuso said he’s aware of child abuse allegations the Kirkpatricks made against his brother, which he said were baseless and drove Philip Gattuso to seek psychiatric counseling. Funderburgh said family members are "devastated” because "he’s not a violent guy.” Funderburgh acknowledged that Nakvinda has an extensive criminal past, which includes a 10-year prison sentence for his role in a rash of brutal home invasions in 1993. "He was basically just a soldier in that (case),” Funderburgh said.
Related Topics:
Murder and Homicide, Crime
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