MONROE COUNTY, Mich. – The attorney representing the woman accused of killing two children after driving drunk and crashing into a birthday party broke down in tears during trial Tuesday.
Marshella Chidester faces multiple charges, including murder, for allegedly crashing into the Swan Boat Club in Monroe County in April 2024. Her trial began on March 3, 2025.
Previous coverage: Full updates: Trial for woman accused of killing 2 kids at birthday party in Monroe County
Mariah Dodds testified in court on March 4, 2025, and told her heartbreaking story of how she initially didn’t know a crash happened at the birthday party she was at with her three children on April 20, 2024.
She said her last memory at the birthday party was giving her children cake pops at a table inside the Swan Boat Club. After that, she only remembered waking up in the hospital the next day.
She was hit by Chidester’s car, along with her three children. Two of her children, Zayn and Alanah Phillips, died at the scene. Her third child was critically injured.
During Dodds’ testimony, she described the multiple injuries she suffered and that it took months for her to walk and sit normally again. She also said it took months for her surviving child to recover from his injuries.
She told the jury she didn’t know her two children had died until she gained consciousness in the hospital days following the crash.
“Where’s my kids?” she remembered asking before she was told the devastating news.
Once prosecutors were finished questioning Dodds, Chidester’s attorney, Bill Colovos, began the cross-examination. However, when he approached Dodds, he was quiet for a few moments. His face was turned away from the cameras, but he appeared to be crying in front of Dodds.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Colovos said softly with a shaky voice.
He began to explain he recently lost his son.
“He died peacefully,” he continued. “Every time I work on your case, I think of your children. You have my deepest sympathy.”
“I’m human. I’m the defense attorney, but I’m human,” he said to Dodds. “You seem like a much stronger person than me.”
“It’s hard,” Dodds replied.
“I know,” Colovos said. “My prayers are with you and your family. I wish you the best. I just wanted to come out here and tell you a heartfelt that I feel really bad for your family. I don’t have any questions; you’re already going through enough in life.”
“Judge, the People appreciate the sentiment,” said the prosecutors. “But, this is not the time and place.”
Dodds was then excused by the judge.
Chidester also appeared to be crying in court, as she is seen wiping her eyes with a tissue.
Dodds' full testimony with cross examination Colovos can be viewed below:
