Heavy Hitters Testify on Slade's Behalf

Yesterday some heavy hitters testified on Priscilla Slade's behalf. I still do not

believe that their testimony justifies her actions. The welfare of the university and its students should have been her main concern. Her position as President did not include personal enrichment through the misuse of unversity's funds.

Texas Gov. Mark White was waiting in the witness room to be called to testify on Slade's behalf.

Earlier, the jury heard from Delynn Walker, who was an assistant to Slade. She defended hundreds of dollars worth of charges that were made at Scott Gertner's Skybar in Montrose.

Walker testified that the expenses were justified because Slade and her staff were conducting official business in an effort to recruit new students.

Prosecutor Donna Goode asked Walker, "Why do you need to be drinking and spending hundreds of taxpayer dollars to recruit students? What TSU mission was being achieved by spending taxpayer money at 2 in the morning?"

Slade has been charged with two felony counts of misapplication of fiduciary property. Prosecutors maintain that Slade spent more than $500,000 of taxpayer money to furnish, landscape and install a security system at the home she had built near Memorial Park.

If convicted,Slade could face punishment ranging from probation to life in prison.