Testimony in a bench trial challenging the residency qualifications of two candidates for the Monroe City School Board’s District 7 wrapped up on Monday, August 17, 2026, in the 4th Judicial District Court.
Judge Wilson Rambo presided over a full day of testimony and evidence presentation before adjourning without an immediate verdict, granting a deadline extension for financial and identification records.
Candidate Brenda Shelling, who is representing herself in court, filed two challenges. Shelling claimed that two of her opponents—Tyrone Dickens and Jennifer Newman—do not maintain primary domiciles inside District 7, rendering them legally ineligible to seek the school board seat.
Part I: Morning Session — Focus on Tyrone Dickens
The morning proceedings focused on Dickens, who is registered to vote at 3004 Dick Taylor St., an address situated within District 7 boundaries.
Taking the witness stand herself, Shelling testified that beginning in March, she conducted personal surveillance and took photos of vehicles owned by Dickens parked at locations other than his Dick Taylor Street address. Shelling also presented photographic evidence of a U.S. Postal Service package addressed to Dickens at the Dick Taylor property, alleging it sat uncollected on the porch for three days. Each day she took photographs of the package.
Shelling further asserted that Dickens resides with a girlfriend she identified as Veronica Thurman, at 1703 Reed St., presenting photos showing the resident and her sons moving belongings into the house. Judge Rambo said Shelling had no evidence of her “girl friend” claim dismissed it from consideration.
Cross-Examination and Witness Testimony
Under cross-examination by Dickens’ defense attorney, Keith Whiddon, Shelling admitted that none of her photos depicted Dickens driving, exiting, or physically standing near any of the vehicles or properties shown. Shelling acknowledged that she lacked first-hand, personal knowledge of Dickens’ exact daily whereabouts, though she maintained her belief that he does not reside on Dick Taylor Street. She took pictures of Dickens’ vehicles parked at places she suspected as Dickens’ residence as late as 10:30 p.m. and as early as 6 a.m. in the morning
Shelling then called Dickens’ estranged wife, Allison Johnson, to the stand. Highlights of Johnson’s testimony included:
- Separation & Living Arrangements: Johnson testified that while she and Dickens share a 7-year-old son, Dickens does not reside with her at her home on 416 Lakeshore Dr.
- Overnight Visits: She explained that Dickens frequently visits to care for their son and occasionally stays overnight for a few days, including a one-month stay in July while she was out of state—but he does not maintain a permanent residence there.
- Personal Belongings: Johnson noted that while Dickens leaves some clothes at her home, he keeps his toiletries and medication in his vehicle because he comes and goes constantly, arriving and leaving with a purple suitcase.
- Photo Rebuttal: Johnson stated she does not know where Dickens lives when he is not visiting her, but pointed out that one vehicle photo submitted by Shelling was out of date, as that vehicle had not been parked at her property in years.
Shelling rested her evidentiary presentation against Dickens at the midday recess.
Part II: Afternoon Session — Challenge to Jennifer Newman
When court resumed at 1:30 p.m., Shelling turned her focus to her second opponent, Jennifer Newman.
Newman testified that she physically resides at 508 Richardson St., which is located within District 7. She noted that while her registration forms list a mailing address at 1406 S. 7th St.—where her mother lives, she and her children, sister, and other family members share the Richardson Street address.
To corroborate her claim of occupancy, Newman produced several documents bearing the Richardson Street address and personally addressed to her. The documents included:
- Rental receipts
- Water and utility bills
- Voter registration records
- Car payment receipts
- Her children’s school report cards
Shelling questioned Newman regarding property records indicating that Newman owned and lived in a home at 107 Selman Dr. Newman denied ever living at the Selman Drive address, paying taxes on it, or paying utility bills associated with the property. Shelling had no records to back up her claim.
Judge Rambo granted a brief recess, allowing Shelling to pull documentation from the parish tax assessor’s office. Upon returning, Shelling produced records showing that the Selman Drive property had previously been owned by Terry Newman, a relative, before later being sold at a tax sale, revealing no ownership or residence records tied directly to Jennifer Newman.
Part III: Subpoenaed Testimony and Defense Witnesses
The afternoon session experienced a prolonged delay when witness Veronica Thurman failed to appear after being called by Shelling.
Shelling insisted that her testimony was crucial to prove Dickens’ residence. The trial stopped as bailiffs talked to Thurman on the phone in open court. She said she did not want to be involved, and the bailiff responded, “That’s not an option.”
Judge Rambo issued an order directing the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office to locate Thurman and compel her appearance under threat of contempt of court.
Veronica Thurman’s Testimony
Upon appearing in court, just before deputies arrived to bring her in cuffs, Thurman testified that:
- Dickens does not live at her house, though he has spent nights there in the past on an “in and out” basis, but she always had to “flash” on him and put him out.
- Dickens kept no clothing at her home, carrying only a hygiene kit and a purple suitcase when visiting.
- She has no direct knowledge of where Dickens maintains his primary residence.
Tyrone Dickens’ Defense
Taking the stand in his own defense, Dickens testified that 3004 Dick Taylor St. remains his permanent domicile, although he does not presently reside in the building. He explained that recent severe storms caused significant damage to the roof and interior of the home, necessitating extensive repairs and remodeling. The most recent storm problem came in the February 2026 freeze.
- Living Conditions: Dickens testified that until late February, he stayed in habitable sections of the Dick Taylor Street house while spending occasional nights with his ex-wife and a friend, Jarvis Ward.
- Supporting Testimony: Defense witness Jarvis Ward testified he has known Dickens for a decade and that the Dick Taylor Street address has always been Dickens’ primary location. Ward added that he attempted to help Dickens remodel the storm damage, though work schedules caused delays. He said Dickens often spent nights in his house on Gordon Street, but he was always in and out.
- Documentation: Dickens introduced a driver’s license, mail, traffic tickets, towing bills, and credit union statements, all listing 3004 Dick Taylor St. as his address.
- Utility Bill Explanation: Under cross-examination regarding the lack of electric or water bills in his name, Dickens testified that the property is a family-owned home. He stated he pays his share of utility costs in cash directly to a family member, Rosalind Harris, without requiring formal receipts. Pressed by Shelling on the lack of paper trails, Dickens responded, “We are family. We’ve been together for 50 years, we don’t need receipts.” He confirmed he holds no utility accounts in his name anywhere in the city.
Additionally, defense witness Lawrence Marie Brown testified regarding a truck pictured in Shelling’s evidence photos. Brown explained that she borrowed the vehicle from Dickens two years earlier for a Juneteenth parade and returned it to his wife’s Lakeshore Drive address, where it has remained parked ever since. Shelling’s photograph of the parked truck at his ex-wife’s Lakeshore address showed it parked in the same place she left it two years earlier.
Court Orders Outstanding Records
Prior to the trial, Shelling submitted a letter to Judge Rambo requesting that the court order utility records from both defendants. Judge Rambo noted that formal evidence collection “is not the way it works,” but instructed that any remaining required documentation be submitted to the court by noon on Monday, August 24, 2026.
Specific outstanding items ordered for Dickens include:
- Voter registration card
- Disability card
- Parole documentation showing the Dick Taylor Street address
Judge Rambo adjourned the trial without issuing a ruling, holding the matter in abeyance until the requested documentation is submitted on Aug. 24.
