Swan Boat Club crash: Marshella Chidester sentenced 25-50 years

MONROE COUNTY, Mich. (FOX 2) - Marshella Chidester was sentenced Thursday after a jury convicted her of numerous felonies stemming from the fatal Swan Boat Club crash last year.

The judge told the court he believed the jury got it right and that the evidence was overwhelming in the case. 

Chidester sentenced 25-50 years

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The judge sentenced Chidester to 25-50 years in prison in the fatal crash that killed two kids and injured several others. 

He told the court "this wasn't just an accident, it was a crime."

The ex-Monroe County boat club commodore also received 24-36 months in the Michigan Department of Corrections for four counts of operating while intoxicated causing injury and another 84-180 months on two counts of operating while intoxicated causing death.

Victim impact statements started the court hearing before Chidester's attorney addressed the court. 

Finally, the defendant spoke to the court, telling the parents of the victims she was sorry and that she prayed for them before asking that they one day forgive her.

Local perspective:

Brian Phillips and Mariah Dodds, the parents of the two kids killed in the fatal Swan Boat Club crash, addressed the court during Chidester's sentencing.

Both delivered remarks in tears as they told the court about the months of turmoil they have spent since losing their kids. 

"It's hard even to wake up knowing that they're not here. It's hard even to wake up knowing that they're not here," Brian said. "It's hard that their older brother had to be without his brother and sister. And I hope every day that you realize what you took him from us."

Dodds spoke at length before calling on the judge to sentence Chidester to life in prison without parole.

"The hardest part of all of this is missing them. "Remembering their smiles, their touch, their sense," she said. "I was their protector and I should not have to feel like I failed them because of someone's poor choices."

Chidester begs for forgiveness

"I've been thinking about what I was going to say to you for over a year," Chidester said Thursday during her sentencing. "It was a terrible, terrible tragedy."

She told the victims she prayed for them every day and begged for forgiveness from God and from the victims. 

She told the court she "never meant to harm those children."

The 67-year-old also read a verse, reading "the steadfast love of the lord never ceases. His mercy never ends."

The backstory:

Chidester, 67, was found guilty in March of two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of operating while intoxicated causing death, and five counts of operating while intoxicated causing serious injury for the Swan Boat Club crash, which killed 8-year-old Alanah Phillips and 4-year-old Zayn Phillips, who were attending a birthday party on April 20, 2024.

According to evidence presented in court, Chidester had a BAC of .18 - more than double the legal limit in Michigan - when the crash happened.

After the crash, Chidester told deputies that she didn't remember it happening. When asked how she was feeling on a scale of 0-10, with zero being sober and 10 being passed out drunk, Chidester responded that she was at seven. She was also heard telling the deputy that she "wouldn't want to drive," when asked if she felt she was OK to drive.

Her trial included a slew of witnesses, including toxicology experts, the mother of the children killed, and surviving victims.

The defense alleged that her blood sample was tainted, leading to the prosecution showing video of Chidester walking around her home with what appeared to be wine multiple times before the deadly crash. 

A jury found Chidester guilty after deliberating for less than two hours. She was remanded to the Monroe County Jail, where she has been for the past two months. 

Dig deeper:

Following her conviction, her attorney Bill Colovos said that he intended to file an appeal on behalf of his client. However, Chidester later retained a new attorney.

Colovos said he believes Chidester's new attorney, with Amberg & Amberg, will also seek an appeal.

He noted that it is unusual that a new attorney will be taking over the case before sentencing. According to Colovos, the lawyer who tried the case will usually remain on the case until after sentencing. Then, the new attorney will handle an appeal.

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