IC Man to Plead Guilty to Lesser Charge in Chess Game Murder

By Trish Mehaffey

David Christian, 29, of Iowa City makes his initial appearance by video from the Johnson County Jail on charges of second degree murder and public intoxication Monday, Oct. 20, 2008 in Iowa City. Christian was charged with murder after a fight early on Sunday over a chess game resulted in the death of Michael Steward, 39, of Iowa City. (Brian Ray/The Gazette)

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Sep 3, 2009 at 2:49 PM CDT

Story Updated: Sep 3, 2009 at 5:25 PM CDT

IOWA CITY - David Christian, charged with killing his neighbor during a chess game, will plead guilty later this month to voluntary manslaughter, according to an order filed Thursday in Johnson County District Court.

As part of a plea agreement, Christian, 30, of Iowa City, originally charged with second-degree murder, will plead guilty 11 a.m. Sept. 25. Christian now faces 10 years in prison as opposed to 50 for the murder charge.

Neighbor Michael Steward, 39, of Iowa City, slapped Christian during the chess game and then Christian responded by holding Steward’s hands together and forced his neck between Christian’s legs Oct. 19, according to the criminal complaint. Christian then applied pressure on Steward’s neck on and off until Steward was unresponsive.

Christian told police he attempted to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Steward. He then contacted another neighbor for help and the neighbor called police.

Christian also was charged with public intoxication in connection with the incident.

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