Both Sides Have Rested in Priscilla Slade's Trial

After nearly seven weeks of testimony, both the defense and prosecution have rested in the criminal trial of former Texas Southern University President Priscilla Slade, KPRC Local 2 reported Thursday.

State District Judge Brock Thomas has scheduled closing arguments for 8:45 a.m. on Monday.

Attorneys on each side will have 90 minutes to make their final arguments.

Slade is charged with two felony counts of misapplication of fiduciary property. Prosecutors claim she spent public money for her personal benefit, specifically to buy furniture, landscaping and a security system for the home she built near Memorial Park.

If convicted of the charges, she could face probation or up to life in prison.

During the trial, prosecutors called more than 30 witnesses in an effort to prove their case that Slade knowingly and intentionally spent more than $500,000 without first getting approval from the university's board of regents.

The defense, however, countered with witnesses who testified that Slade had acted in the best interest of the university and its students by making her personal residence a place where she could entertain people who would potentially make substantial donations to Texas Southern.