HOUSTON -- The former chairman of the Texas Southern University board of regents testified Monday that former president Priscilla Slade did not have the authority to bill the university for furniture, landscaping and a security system for her personal residence, KPRC Local 2 reported.

J. Paul Johnson told the jury that he and the other regents had no idea that Slade was charging the purchases to TSU.

Johnson testified that he was alerted by another former regent, Belinda Griffin, who became concerned about the costs of the items.

Griffin, who will testify later this week, went on a tour of Slade's home near Memorial Park. She said that Slade told her everything was paid for by TSU.

Earlier in the day, jurors also heard testimony from the owner of a high-end furniture store. Ann Noel told the jury that Slade personally walked through the showroom in southwest Houston and picked out items she wanted for her home.

The inventory list that prosecutors showed the jury included a $9,000 bed and a $21,000 sectional sofa.

Members of the jury appeared to perk up when attorneys displayed pictures of the elaborate and expensive furnishings.

Prosecutors say those items, which cost TSU about $186,000, are now in storage and have little benefit to the students attending the historically black college.

Slade's attorney Mike DeGeurin admitted he is concerned that the jury will react negatively after seeing the luxury furniture.

"I do worry about that because very few of us actually have to perform as the president of a university. What you would select for your presidential house is different than what you might select for your own house," he said.

Slade is charged with two felony counts of misapplication of fiduciary property over $200,000.

If Slade is convicted, she faces punishment ranging from probation to life in prison.

No testimony is scheduled for Tuesday.

The trial will resume on Wednesday and is expected to last for several more weeks.