MONROE, Mich. (Scripps News Detroit/Court TV) — A Michigan woman is facing up to life in prison after she was convicted of killing two children when she crashed her vehicle into a boat club.
Marshella Chidester was convicted of nine charges, including second-degree murder, in a crash that killed 8-year-old Alanah Phillips and her 4-year-old brother Zayn Phillips. More than a dozen people were also injured in the crash. Her sentencing was scheduled for May 15.
Marshella Chidester appears in court during her trial Monday, March 3, 2025. (Court TV)
Chidester was drunk when she crashed into the Swan Boat Club in Berlin Township on April 20, 2024, where a kid’s birthday party was being held. In bodycam video from the scene, Chidester said she passed out and has a history of seizures. She also admitted to drinking “a little bit.” Her blood alcohol content level was twice the legal limit, according to testimony.
“I just want people to know how very, very disturbed I am by the situation. I don’t remember what happened. I can only say that I’ve been praying for everyone that’s been injured,” Chidester told Scripps News Detroit last year. Chidester said she doesn’t remember anything that led to the crash due to her neuropathy and heart problems, but believes she may’ve had a seizure at the time of the crash.
DAILY TRIAL UPDATES
DAY 4 – 3/6/25
- The father of 8-year-old Alanah and 4-year-old Zayn Phillips was interviewed outside the courtroom; he said he wants his kids to “rest peacefully.”
- Surveillance video from inside Marshella Chidester’s home on the morning of the crash was played for the jury; in it she appears to be holding a bottle.
- Prosecution delivers closing argument.
- Defense delivers closing argument.
- Prosecution delivers rebuttal argument.
- Jury reaches verdict.
DAY 3 – 3/5/25
- Kelly Ann Thornton testified she served Marshella Chidester just one glass of wine when she came to Verna’s Bar and Grill for lunch the day she crashed into a boat club, killing 2 young children. Thornton said Chidester did not seem drunk.
DAY 2 – 3/4/25
- John Debarr, a fire captain and paramedic, said he arrived on scene and observed large hole in side of building, many people asking for help.
- Upon entering the boat club, he saw chaos.
- Debarr described some of the injuries he saw.
- Recalled the location of the two deceased children, observed that their injuries were fatal.
- Detective Steven Schmidt recalled seeing “pure chaos” upon arrival on-scene.
- Said he saw Chidester; he could smell alcohol on her; she couldn’t keep her balance.
- Schmidt gave Chidester take a sobriety test, had to help her walk, she couldn’t complete the test.
- He arrested her and placed her in the patrol vehicle.
- Mariah Dodds, the mother of killed siblings Alanah Phillips, 8, and Zayn Phillips, 4, took the stand.
- WATCH: Victims’ Mother Recounts Crash Caused By Marshella Chidester
- In an emotional exchange, Chidester’s defense attorney did NOT cross-examine the children’s mother. Instead he cried at the podium, offered his sincere condolences, and shared that he had recently lost a child, and knew what it was like to be a member of a club no one wants to belong to.
DAY 1 – 3/3/25
- The jury hears opening statements
- Kristyn Sigler tearfully described the chaotic scene as someone yelled, ‘There’s a kid under the car!’
- Neighbor William Schmidt testified to the aftermath of the crash.
