IC man found guilty of lesser charge for threatening landlord with loaded gun in 2008

IOWA CITY, Iowa – A Johnson County jury found Gregory Phillips guilty Thursday of threatening his landlord with a loaded gun in 2008 but convicted him on a lesser charge of attempted murder.

Phillips, 58, of Iowa City, originally charged with attempted murder, was found guilty of assault with intent to inflict injury, an aggravated misdemeanor, and going armed with intent, a felony. The jury deliberated about 10 1/2 hours over two days. The three day trial wrapped up Wednesday.

Phillips faces up to 7 years in prison. A sentencing date wasn't set Thursday.

Assistant Johnson County Attorney Anne Lahey said the victim, Mezher Beig, manager of Dolphin Lake Enclave apartments, will be upset with the verdict for the lesser charge but “historically, I know it's difficult to get an attempted murder conviction in Iowa City. He (Beig) is afraid of this guy and knows what he is capable of.”

Beig testified he thought Phillips was going to kill him Sept. 4, 2008 when Phillips came into his office and put a loaded gun to his mouth, pressing it against his lips, and then pulling the trigger which didn't fire because there was a missing round in the chamber.

Beig said Phillips was upset because he and other tenants had to temporarily move out of their apartments for renovation work. Beig said all the tenants could move into other apartments in the complex while the work was being done but Phillips was mad and said he was going to kill Beig that day.

Lahey said Phillips took the stand and said he was upset but never intended to shoot or kill Beig. Phillips changed his story from what he told police. He said during an interview, which was played for the jury, that he was going to shoot Beig, Lahey said.