Friday, September 04, 2009

Man Murdered in Chess Game

IOWA CITY, Iowa -

According to a court filing, an Iowa City man will plead guilty to a lesser charge in the death of his opponent in a chess game.

The filing made Thursday in Johnson County District Court says David Christian will plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter on Sept. 25.

Police say Christian and Michael Alan Steward were playing chess and drinking at Christian's residence on Oct. 19, 2008, when a quarrel turned violent. They say Christian apparently trapped Steward's neck between his legs and squeezed until Steward was dead.

Christian originally faced a charge of second-degree murder, which could have landed him in prison for 50 years. The voluntary manslaughter charge has a maximum 10-year sentence.

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