Michigan Grandmother Found Guilty of Murder After Crashing Car into Birthday Party, Killing 2 Children

Mar. 15, 2025

Marshella Chidester photographed during her trial on March 6.Photo:Imagn Images

Imagn Images

A Michigan grandmother who was accused of being intoxicated when she crashed her car into a boat club,killing two young children and injuring more than a dozen others, has been found guilty of murder.

According to reports from local outletsWXYZ,Fox 2 Detroitand theDetroit Free Press,on Thursday, March 6,67-year-old Marshella Chidester was found guilty on nine counts in the deaths of siblings Zayn Phillips, 4, and Alanah Phillips, 8, as well as injuring others.

The charges included two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death and four counts of operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing serious injury for the April 2024 crash.

Chidester was accused of crashing her car into the Swan Boat Club in Newport, Mich., located about 30 miles south of Detroit. Her vehicle entered about 25 feet inside the club, where a child’s birthday party was being held, sheriffs said at the time.

The Monroe County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Saturday, March 8.

The Swan Boat Club in Newport, Mich., where the crash occurred.Google images

Google images

Three children and six adults were taken to local hospitals via ambulance and helicopter with “serious, life-threatening injuries,” Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough said at the time. The Phillips siblings were pronounced dead at the scene.

Colovos also claimed that Chidester has had seizures in the past and had been hospitalized for several days as a result, per Fox 2. He said previously that she has had epileptic-type seizures in her legs that have led to paralysis.

Marshella Chidester’s mugshot.Monroe County Sheriff’s Office via AP

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office via AP

“We appreciate everything the jury did here today. We think they did a phenomenal job in evaluating the evidence,” Monroe County Prosecutor Jeff Yorkey said in a press conference after the verdict was read.

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After the guilty verdicts were read out, Brian Phillips, the father of the two children who died, said he was grateful for the verdicts, according to theDetroitFree Press.

“I will never get peace,” he said, per the outlet. “I never will find peace with this, but I’m glad that the verdict came back on all counts. I am happy with that verdict.”

source: people.com