Drunk Driver Who Killed Two Children Denied New Murder Trial

Marshella Chidester, 68, has lost her bid for a new murder trial after a judge ruled that while her defense attorney's conduct fell below professional standards, it did not warrant overturning her conviction.

Chidester was convicted of second-degree murder in May 2025 for the deaths of 4-year-old Zayn Phillips and his 8-year-old sister, Alanah Phillips. She was sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in prison.

In April 2024, Chidester drove her vehicle into the Swan Boat Club near Lake Erie while more than twice the legal blood-alcohol limit. The crash occurred during a birthday party, killing the two children and injuring several others.

Chidester had argued for a new trial, claiming her attorney, Bill Colovos, was incompetent and lacked understanding of trial procedures. She specifically pointed to Colovos becoming emotional and crying while questioning the children's mother, Mariah Dodds, during the original trial.

Despite acknowledging that Colovos's actions were not "professionally reasonable," Judge Daniel White stated that there was insufficient evidence to prove the outcome of the trial would have been different with alternative legal representation. The judge denied Chidester's request for a new trial.

During the original trial, Colovos had suggested Chidester had a leg injury that caused her to accelerate and that she had consumed only one glass of wine. He later revealed that his own son had died in September, and he expressed sympathy to Dodds, declining to question her further.

Dodds, who was also injured in the crash, testified about the unbearable grief of losing her children, stating, "She took everything in my life and destroyed it." Horrific images from the scene showed party supplies scattered among debris.

Surveillance footage indicated Chidester was traveling at 44 mph when her SUV crashed into the building. At her sentencing, Chidester expressed remorse and asked for forgiveness.