Marshella Chidester, a 67-year-old Michigan grandmother, was found guilty of murder for crashing her car into a boat club, resulting in the deaths of two young children and injuries to several others. The incident occurred in April 2024 at the Swan Boat Club in Newport, Michigan.
Chidester was convicted on nine counts, including two counts of second-degree murder and multiple charges related to operating a vehicle while intoxicated. The victims included siblings Zayn Phillips, 4, and Alanah Phillips, 8, who lost their lives in the tragic crash.
During the four-day trial, the prosecution presented evidence, including security camera footage showing Chidester drinking wine before the incident. Her defense attorney argued that her blood sample might not have been accurate and raised concerns about the handling of evidence by authorities.
After the verdict was announced, Chidester’s attorney expressed plans to appeal the decision, citing concerns about receiving a fair trial in a small community. The Monroe County Prosecutor acknowledged the jury’s work in evaluating the evidence and expressed appreciation for their efforts.
The tragedy at the boat club resulted in critical injuries to several individuals, including the siblings’ mother and older brother. The community was deeply affected by the loss of life and the devastating impact of the crash.
A man, who lost two children, expressed gratitude for the verdicts, as reported by the Detroit Free Press. “I will never find peace,” he stated. “I will never find closure, but I am thankful for the verdicts on all charges. I am satisfied with the outcome.” For more details, please refer to the original article on People magazine.
