Click to watch video | 11 News legal expert Geral Treece on the mistrial request| 5 p.m. update on the mistrial request| 6 p.m. update on the judge's decision

The judge presiding over the criminal case against ex-TSU president rejected a defense request that a mistrial be declared.

The ruling came late Friday after allegations that a prosecutor intentionally leaked a plea deal apparently offered to Priscilla Slade before the trial started.

Judge Brock Thomas heard arguments after defense attorney Mike Deguerin requested an emergency hearing.

He asked for a mistrial after word of the plea dea was revealed.

“This is serious business because prosecutors are not supposed to be talking to anybody about any plea deal at any time,” said 11 News legal expert Gerald Treece.

This is how the ordeal played out.

During a break in the trial Thursday, a courtroom spectator asked Donna Goode if the prosecution had ever offered a plea deal.

Goode reportedly responded that Goode did offer a deal, 25 years.

Several members of the media, including 11 News reporter Wendell Edwards, heard the comment.

That’s when Goode reportedly said it was off the record.

But one reporter said her comments were on the record and, within minutes, Goode’s remarks were on the Internet.

Deguerin denied a deal was ever offered.

Treece says the defense asked the judge to deal with jury to ensure the panel wasn't tainted by the plea news.

Slade is accused of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars at university expense.

The state rested its case Thursday, after calling 30 witnesses in more than a month.