Second Negro Facing Charges Over Murder of Young White Man Who was Riding in Their Car

Lloyd Koger Jr., left, and James Phillips.

Being in a car with two blacks is bad enough, but being in a car with two blacks that look like that?

What was this man thinking?

KWWL:

A second person is facing charges in a 2017 shooting that left one 34-year-old Cedar Rapids man dead.

Leland Harris, 34, was found in an alley in the 500 block of 10th Street SW on November 22, 2017. After being examined by the Linn County Medical Examiner’s Office it was determined he died from a gunshot wound.

Police had already arrested one man for the murder of Harris’ but have now announced their investigation has led them to another suspect.

Lloyd Koger Jr., 42, has now been charged with Murder in the 1st-degree, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit a forcible felony, felon in possession of a firearm, accessory after the face, and driving while barred, in connection with Harris’ death.

In early April, James Phillips, 19, of Cedar Rapids, was charged with 1st-degree-murder, theft in the 1st-degree, conspiracy to commit a forcible felony, and going armed-with-intent.

According to a criminal complaint, investigators with the Cedar Rapids Police Department determined Phillips was allegedly a passenger in the backseat of a vehicle Harris was also in. Phillips was allegedly armed with a firearm and shot Harris from the backseat, killing him. Phillips then, allegedly shot Harris two more times, after pushing him out of the vehicle and stole Harris’ wallet and cellphone. The complaint goes on to say that Phillips allegedly planned the attack, with the intent to kill Harris.

Police investigators determined Koger was the driver of the vehicle in which Phillips shot Harris from the backseat, according to a new criminal complaint. It also alleges that Koger was in possession of a firearm and provided it to Phillips with the understanding it would be used to intimidate Harris.

After the shooting Koger allegedly drove the car out of town, attempted to clean it, and ultimately sold the vehicle.

Phillips’ trial was originally set for August 19th, 2019. It has now been reset to March 23rd, 2020.

Leland Harris.