Editor’s Note: The Daily does not usually print the names of sexual assault survivors. However, in this case, Ashley Howard has granted the Daily permission to use her name in its coverage.

Former ISU football player Royce Hooks was found not guilty of second-degree sexual assault charges on July 31.

Hooks, senior in exercise and sport science, and his teammate Brent Nash, junior in exercise and sport science, had been 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.

The defense for Hooks argued Howard consented to the sexual acts performed.

Charges were also brought against Nash, but were dismissed by District Judge Timothy Finn on Aug. 8, approximately one week after Hooks was acquitted.

Ashley Howard testified she was “hustled” by others as she made her way through the “shoulder to shoulder” mass of people to pick up her coat in the back room of the apartment, 4701 Steinbeck St. No. 4.

Once in the dark back room, Howard said she tripped over the arm of a couch, causing her to fall back in a sprawled out position on the couch.

After drinking three Jack Daniels wine coolers, a Smirnoff Ice and a shot of rum within the first half hour of arriving at the party, Howard said her head felt heavy as she attempted to lift herself up and off the couch.

Howard testified she then heard the door shut and a voice say, “We can do this.”

All she could see in the dark room were the silhouettes of two “large men,” one in front of her, while the other was to her side.

Almost simultaneously, she said, one man tried to force her to perform oral sex while she experienced pelvic pains from the other man penetrating her with his finger.

This went on for approximately five to seven minutes, she testified.

She testified she did say “no,” but, with the blaring music, did not yell for help thinking no one at the party would be able to hear her.

Hooks said Howard’s demeanor and willingness that night seemed to invite consensual sex.

Hooks added that Howard approached Nash and him in the hallway. He said she began complaining that no men wanted to talk to her because they were afraid of her two older brothers.

Marcel and Aaron Howard were linemen for the ISU football team in 2001. Marcel graduated and completed his eligibility in December 2001. Aaron, senior in exercise and sport science, is no longer on the ISU football team.

After Nash invited her to join he and Hooks in the back room, Howard said she was “down for whatever,” Hooks said.

The three entered the back room; Nash undid his pants, and Howard proceeded to perform oral sex on him, Hooks said.

After about a minute, Hooks said he moved in front of Howard and began penetrating her with his finger.

Hooks testified that after 20 to 30 seconds, he smelled blood and immediately stopped. He then could not understand if she was trying to say “stop,” but did notice a “change in her tone” which he interpreted as “stop,” he said.

Howard’s friends, who attended the party with her that night, testified they did not see Howard talk, dance or interact with anyone other than her friends at the party.

Howard’s friends also testified she came out of the back room in hysterics, pushing her way through a crowd trying to leave the apartment.

Kevin Hines, a former ISU football player who attended the party that night, testified Howard was smiling and appeared “somewhat drunk” when she left the room.

“She came out with a little grin on her face,” Hines told the jury. “A smile like nothing was wrong.”

Other witnesses at the party that night said Howard told them she was looking to have sex that night.

Howard could not recall and denied allegations that she told others at the party she was looking for someone to have sex with her.

— Daily staff reports contributed to this article.