TikTok Star Brenay Kennard’s Love Triangle Trial Gets Messy in Durham County Court

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – The alienation of affection trial involving TikTok star Brenay Kennard is reaching its boiling point inside a Durham County courtroom. Kennard, who has millions of followers, stands accused of having an affair with Timothy Montague, allegedly destroying his marriage to Akira Montague. As the trial nears its end, Thursday and Friday’s testimonies brought a whole lot of new details.

Thursday, November 6: Husband Admits Marriage Was “Never About Love”

When Timothy Montague took the stand Thursday, he wasted no time setting the tone. Under oath, he admitted he was never in love with Akira, saying their marriage felt more like being “roommates.” He told jurors his 2018 proposal wasn’t romantic — he didn’t kneel or even ask “Will you marry me?” and used the “cheapest ring” he could find at a Duke football game.

Montague, now married to Kennard, testified that his relationship with Akira was driven more by circumstance than affection. He said his parents forced him to marry within 60 days if the couple wanted to live under their roof, describing the marriage as “awkward and unbalanced.”

The day took another twist when officials revealed that Montague had been charged with bringing a loaded gun into the courthouse the day before. The Durham County Sheriff’s Office said the firearm was discovered in his bag during a security check, but he was allowed to appear in court to testify.

Kennard’s ex-husband, Devon Mayo, also testified Thursday. He claimed he overheard Kennard and Timothy rekindling their romance in December 2023 — while he and Kennard were still married — and said he even overheard them being intimate in his home weeks later.

Akira’s mother, Veneta Sydnor, and grandmother, Cheryl Sydnor Carter, described a loving relationship between Akira and Timothy before Kennard came into the picture. Sydnor said the couple was inseparable and even recalled them throwing grapes into each other’s mouths playfully.

Carter testified about a heated confrontation with Kennard when she tried to get her to move out of Akira and Timothy’s home, claiming Kennard threatened to “put her hands on an old lady.” Kennard denied the altercation ever became physical.

By the end of the day, Timothy stuck to his story — insisting he and Akira’s marriage had long been broken before Kennard came around. “I loved her, but I wasn’t in love with her,” he told the jury.

Friday, November 7: Family Drama, Sexts, and Shocking Videos

Friday’s court session was all about family and fallout as both sides battled over whether love ever truly existed in the Montague marriage.

Timothy’s sister, Imani Montague, testified first, painting a grim picture of home life. She told jurors that the environment between Timothy and Akira was always “hostile” and said the stress caused her to drop out of college. Timothy’s mother, Tameka Green, followed, saying the two had playful moments but their fights were “explosive.” She recalled warning them not to yell over each other during arguments.

Both Green and Imani remembered an incident where Timothy came home with candle wax on his shirt — something Timothy had mentioned the day before. He testified that Akira knocked over a lit candle during a heated argument, flinging wax on him. Green confirmed the story and said she cried at their wedding, convinced the young couple was not ready for marriage.

Imani didn’t sugarcoat her opinion.

“I think my brother was a terrible husband,” she said. “They didn’t know how to make a marriage work.”

As cross-examination began, Akira’s attorney Robonetta Jones pushed back hard. She displayed text messages and intimate photos to prove the couple once shared deep affection. In the texts, Timothy called Akira “baby,” told her he loved her, and even exchanged sexual messages after he claimed they had stopped being intimate.

Photos showed the couple kissing, smiling, and vacationing together. Jones also pointed to texts showing Timothy planning Akira’s surprise birthday party with her mother. Kennard’s witnesses fired back, claiming the texts looked fake and the photos didn’t prove love. “Do you not smile in pictures?” Timothy said sarcastically.

Later that afternoon, Brenay Kennard took the stand. She told jurors she had no idea Akira was uncomfortable with her being around Timothy, saying she only moved in temporarily during her own marital struggles with Devon Mayo.

“I relied on Timothy to tell me if Akira had a problem,” Kennard said. “He never did.”

But Jones presented texts from Akira — one reading, “Brenay has to leave. By noon.” Timothy argued those messages came after Akira had already agreed to separate and were taken out of context. Kennard claimed Akira once joked about her and Timothy being together, yelling, “Tim, I found your wife!” during a tense exchange.

Then came the viral moment everyone in court was waiting for — the February 2024 video. In it, Kennard could be seen telling the camera she couldn’t wait to become “Mrs. Montague,” saying “Words can’t express how much I love you,” while referencing sexual details.

Timothy said the video referred to their teenage relationship from 2014, not their recent affair. Kennard said she was drunk when she recorded it. “I’m not proud of those videos,” she admitted, also acknowledging a separate clip where she was seen twerking on Timothy in a bathroom.

Kennard’s testimony is set to continue Monday, marking what is believed to be the final day.