HOUSTON -- Some well-known community leaders lined up Tuesday to defend former Texas Southern University President Priscilla Slade, KPRC Local 2 reported.

The defense called State Rep. Sylvester Turner to the stand at about noon. His testimony focused on how the Legislature appropriates money to state universities.

Turner told the jury that Slade became president of TSU at a time when it was facing significant financial challenges. Enrollment had declined and the financial aid program was in shambles, Turner testified.

He told the jury that Slade helped turn the tide at the historically black college located in Houston's Third Ward.

Local 2 has confirmed that former 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.