MONROE COUNTY, Mich. – The trial for a woman accused of drunk driving and crashing her car through a birthday party, killing two children, in Monroe County continues Wednesday.
Marshella Chidester’s trial began on March 3, 2025.
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Here are some key details about the case:
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The deadly crash happened on April 20, 2024
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According to police, her blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit when she crashed into the Swan Boat Club in April 2024. Her lawyers argue she had one glass of wine.
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Two siblings, who were 8 and 4 years old, died in the crash, and several others were hurt. A birthday party was being held in the boat club at the time of the crash.
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Chidester was charged with two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of operating under the influence of liquor causing death and four counts of OUIL causing serious injury.
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If she is found guilty, Chidester could face life in prison.
Previous coverage:
Here are the updates from Day 3 of the murder trial:
Judge decides to adjourn early for lunch
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11:27 a.m. Wednesday
The judge has decided to adjourn early for lunch to give some time for witnesses to appear in court. Court is adjourned until 1:15 p.m.
Court resumes
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11:10 a.m. Wednesday
Court goes on brief break
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10:46 a.m. Wednesday
Court has gone on a brief break. Chidester’s attorney is expected to call witnesses to testify.
Prosecution rests
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10:45 a.m. Wednesday
Prosecutors said they have no more witnesses to testify.
Michigan State Police Crime Lab – Toxicology unit supervisor testifies
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10:15 a.m. Wednesday
Samantha Beauchamp, a supervisor in the Michigan State Police Crime Lab’s toxicology unit, testified she received Chidester’s blood sample for analysis.
She said that, like all other samples she receives, she checked to make sure there were no irregularities with the sample prior to analysis.
She testified she detected gabapentin in Chidester’s sample, a medication typically used to treat seizures and pain. She said this medication, mixed with alcohol, can exacerbate the effects.
Forensic Scientist testifies
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9:30 a.m. Wednesday
Tabitha Faust, a forensic scientist from Michigan State Police, testified she received Chidester’s blood sample to conduct an alcohol analysis.
She testified the method of analyzing Chidester’s blood was treated as a typical alcohol analysis.
She said Chidester’s blood alcohol concentration was at a .18. The legal alcohol limit in Michigan is .08.
Court resumes
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9:30 a.m. Wednesday
Court on brief break
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9:08 a.m. Wednesday
Court goes on a brief break.
Forensic technician testifies
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8:53 a.m. Wednesday
Kathy Hoeppner, a forensic technician at the Michigan State Police crime lab in Lansing, testified she was tested Chidester’s blood sample in the OWI investigation.
She said she took the sample into the lab when she received it from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, cataloged the information and gave the sample directly to the forensic scientist for further analysis. She testified she ensured the sample was not tampered with and was properly packaged.
Phlebotomist testifies
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8:17 a.m. Wednesday
A phlebotomist testified she drew Chidester’s blood for the OWI investigation at the hospital the day of the crash.
She testified she was called for a legal draw in the hospital, so she did so in the emergency room. She said the difference between a regular blood draw and a legal draw is that she needed an officer present and fill out a checklist while drawing the patient’s blood.
During cross-examination, the defense attorney questioned the phlebotomist’s memory of collecting Chidester’s blood as she testified she has drawn blood for patients at least 5,000 times since April 20, 2024. The process of collecting Chidester’s blood has been questioned by the defense attorney since the beginning of the trial; he claimed it was done improperly, and the preservatives didn’t mix with Chidester’s blood sample.
Retired deputy from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office testifies
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8:12 a.m. Wednesday
A retired deputy from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office testified Wednesday he was part of the investigation when the crash happened in 2024.
He testified he transferred the blood test Chidester took for the OWI investigation. He said the test was in his possession during transport from the hospital to the Michigan State Police crime lab.
He was questioned to ensure the blood test was not tampered with in the investigation, he testified nothing happened during the transport.
Victim injured in crash testifies
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8:05 a.m. Wednesday
A 14-year-old testified he went to the birthday party with Mariah Dodds, his aunt.
He was in the main room when the car crashed into the building. He doesn’t recall exactly where he was, but he remembers waking up in a different area of the building.
He said he wasn’t able to stand up after waking up in the walkway area. He later learned he had a broken femur as a result of the crash.
Trial resumes
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8:05 a.m. Wednesday
The judge has entered the courtroom, as well as the jury.
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