Kirkpatrick interview the focus of murder-for-hire case

Fargo, ND (WDAY TV) - Did investigators lie and coerce Gene Kirkpatrick in to a confession? Kirkpatrick's attorney says a string of lies by police made Kirkpatrick say things that he didn't want to.

Gene Kirkpatrick is on trial for conspiring to murder Phillip Gattuso, a Fargo dentist and his son in law. Detective Paul Lies, the man who questioned Kirkpatrick for nearly 3 hours took the stand again as prosecutors witness, but he was cross examined by Kirkpatrick's attorney.

Lies admits he led Kirkpatrick to believe the convicted killer, Michael Nakvinda implicated Kirkpatrick in the murder even though that was not true. The interview, which is what the prosecution's case is based on, Kirkpatrick admits to talking about killing Gattuso with Nakvinda but says never gave him the go ahead. Prosecutors say it was typical police tactics.

GENE KIRKPATRICK - 2009 Police Interview: “My foot was raising up to that fourth step. I took the video. I paid the Money, but I never told him to go.

MACK MARTIN - Kirkpatrick's Attorney: “Y'all weren't happy with those answers were your sir. You didn't like those answers. You didn't like Gene denying that.”

Watch WDAY 6 News at 5, 6, and 10 for the latest.

Tags: gene kirkpatrick, phillip gattuso, fargo, crime, news, updates