Woman accused of driving drunk in deadly Monroe County birthday party crash due back in court in June after Tuesday hearing

(WWJ) — Marshella Chidester, the woman accused of driving drunk into a Monroe County children’s birthday party , killing two siblings, appeared in court for a brief hearing Tuesday morning.

Her defense attorney, Bill Colovos, asked for the preliminary hearing to be pushed back. It has been scheduled for June 27 and is expected to be carried over into the following day, according to WWJ Legal Analyst Charlie Langton.

That hearing will determine whether Chidester, 66, will stand trial on multiple charges, including two counts of second-degree murder, stemming from the April 20 crash at Swan Boat Club in Monroe County’s Newport.

Prosecutors say Chidester was drunk at the time of the crash that killed 8-year-old Alanah Phillips and her 4-year-old brother, Zayn. Authorities said nine other people were taken to the hospital with injuries varying from minor to critical.

Chidester has also been charged with two counts of operating while intoxicated causing death and four counts of operating while intoxicated causing serious injuries.

Langton reported Tuesday the defense is expected to call two witnesses — likely police officers — to make the argument that she was not drunk at the time of the charge.

The defense has argued that a medical condition caused the crash, as she suffered a seizure behind the wheel.

Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough previously described the scene of the crash as “extremely chaotic” as the woman’s SUV went about 25 feet into the building around 3 p.m. on April 20.