Story Created: Nov 6, 2008 at 6:04 PM CDT
Story Updated: Nov 6, 2008 at 6:04 PM CDT
IOWA CITY (AP) - An Iowa City man accused of killing his neighbor over a game of chess has pleaded not guilty.
Court records show that an attorney for 29-year-old David Christian entered the plea on Thursday in Johnson County District Court.
Christian is charged with second-degree murder and public intoxication. He is accused of killing 39-year-old Michael Steward in the early morning hours of Oct. 19.
A criminal complaint says Steward slapped Christian during the chess game, and in response Christian forced Steward's head between his legs and applied pressure until Steward was unresponsive.
The complaint say Christian told police he tried to perform CPR, then contacted a neighbor for help and the neighbor called police.
If convicted, Christian could face up to 50 years in prison.