Iowa City man to plead guilty in murder over chess game

David Christian, charged with killing his neighbor during a chess game, will plead guilty later this month to voluntary manslaughter, according to an orded filed today 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.