NEVADA — After just 2 hours and 13 minutes of deliberation, the jury returned its verdict to the judge Thursday: Not guilty.

Royce Hooks’ head fell into the chest of Paul Rounds, his lead attorney, following the reading of the verdict.

Hooks squeezed the left hand of assistant defense attorney Annette Boehlje as Rounds embraced him. Tears filled the eyes of both Hooks and Rounds.

Former ISU football players Royce Hooks, senior in exercise and sport science, and Brent Nash, junior in exercise and sport science, were charged with sexually assaulting former ISU student Ashley Howard — the younger sister of former ISU football players Marcel and Aaron Howard — during a party Jan. 26, 2002.

Nash is scheduled to stand trial Sept. 9, 2003. Assistant Story County Attorney Mary Howell Sirna, who prosecuted the Hooks case, would not comment on Thursday’s verdict.

Hooks’ mother, who had sat in the front row of the gallery for the duration of the eight-day trial, was absent during the reading of the verdict.

She had to catch a flight after the closing statements were made Thursday.

Hooks was able to contact his mother before she boarded her flight.

“She was crying,” he said. “She said ‘Thank you, God.'”

Hooks turned 23 on Thursday.

He described the two-hour jury deliberation as “nerve racking.”

“I was a wreck. I barely could eat,” he said. “But I did manage to eat something.”

Hooks said he would like to play football again for Iowa State, but ISU football coach Dan McCarney later said that would not happen.

“Royce Hooks and Brent Nash are not members of our football program,” McCarney said in a statement. “With respect to Thursday’s decision, we would assist Royce in finding an opportunity at another school.”

Rounds said the case exemplified the dangers of the Story County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), a program which offers psychological, medical, forensic and legal support to victims of sexual abuse and assault. Several members of SART who gave Howard medical attention on January 27, 2002 testified on the state’s behalf during the trial.

“It’s great when you have a real victim, but you run a huge risk when there is somebody falsely accused, because [the people at SART] presume guilt and proceed with the investigation on that assumption,” Rounds said.

Rounds said in the 12 years he has been an attorney, Hooks is one of the best clients he has ever had.

“It’s been a pleasure dealing with Royce,” he said. “He’s a person of principle.”

Hooks said he expects to graduate in May.

“I think God wanted me to go through this for a reason,” he said. “God has a plan for me.”