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.

NEVADA — Testimony in the second-degree sexual abuse trial of former ISU football player Royce Hooks concluded Wednesday. Closing arguments from both sides will be presented to the jury Thursday.

Former ISU football players Royce Hooks, senior in exercise and sport science, and Brent Nash, junior in exercise and sport science, have 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.

Ashley Howard was briefly called to the witness stand once again Wednesday morning during rebuttal testimony by the state.

Howard testified she did not ride a CyRide bus Feb. 15, 2002, the day her name and allegations were printed in the Iowa State Daily, contradicting Tuesday’s testimony from two ISU students who said they saw her on the bus, pointing and laughing at the article.

Howard also testified she did not sing while on the bus, contradicting previous testimony that said she was heard singing a song about oral sex on the bus.

Kevin Hines, a former ISU football player who attended the party on Jan. 26, 2002, concluded the defense testimony with his account of Howard’s behavior when she left the back room at 4701 Steinbeck St. #4 where the encounter took place. He 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.”

It wasn’t until Howard left with her friends that Hines said he saw her start crying.

During testimony July 23, Howard’s friends who attended the party said she came out of the room in hysterics, pushing her way through a crowd and trying to leave the apartment.

ISU head football coach Dan McCarney was listed as a potential witness, but was never called to the stand.

Following closing arguments Thursday, the jury will decide a verdict.

Hooks testifies his acts were consensual, but morally wrong

Hooks testified Tuesday that Howard’s demeanor and willingness on the night of Jan. 26, 2002 seemed to invite consensual sex.

Hooks said during an encounter with Howard at the party, she began complaining that no men wanted to talk to her because they were afraid of her two older brothers, Aaron and Marcel, both former football players.

Aaron was a member of the team in January 2002, while Marcel finished his career at Iowa State in December 2001.

Hooks testified Nash disagreed with Howard and asked, “What about going in the back room with me and my boy Royce?” to which she replied, “I’m down with whatever.”

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 moved in front of Howard and began penetrating her with his fingers, he said.

“It was nothing in a negative way,” Hooks testified of Howard’s demeanor while he was penetrating her. “It was mostly positive.”

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.

Hooks described Howard as embarrassed after she bled on his hands, leading her to offer him oral sex.

“No, no, I have blood on my hands,” he testified he told her. “We have to get out of here.”

During testimony Monday, Detective David Konopa of the Ames Police Department said Hooks told him he knew the act was wrong, but did not expound on that statement.

Tuesday, Hooks explained to the court he felt the act was “morally” wrong.

During cross-examination by the state, Hooks was questioned why he never told Konopa about Howard offering him oral sex, Nash dancing with Howard or his recollection that Howard was wearing thigh high stockings instead of pantyhose. Hooks testified he did not recognize the relevance of those points during Konopa’s questioning.

Jennifer Kliegl, junior in exercise and sport science, testified Tuesday that during the “over 100 times” she and Hooks talked about the case, his story never included Howard’s offer of oral sex.

She said Hooks also never told her Howard said “no” or tried to say “no” that night.

Kliegl dated Hooks from March 2002 until June 2003, but they still remain close friends, she said.

Two witnesses said Howard offered verbal suggestions of sex at the party Jan. 26, 2002.

Amanda Marz, senior in exercise and sport science, said she asked Howard if she thought a man at the party was cute to which Howard replied, “I am going to fuck this boy.”

Hiawatha Rutland, senior in psychology, said Howard inquired that night about Jamaul Montgomery, senior in sociology.

Rutland testified that Howard said, “When is Jamaul coming? I need to get some ass. When is Jamaul coming?”

Nichole Groat, senior in apparel merchandising, design and production, and her roommate Emily Markert, senior in dietetics, testified they witnessed Howard laugh at the Iowa State Daily article which released the story regarding the sexual assault allegations and her name.

“She was making a scene,” Groat said. “She pointed at the newspaper and laughed at it hysterically.”

They also testified they saw Howard again on the bus less than a month later singing a rap song about oral sex. Markert testified Howard then boasted about her ability to fit her entire fist in her mouth and attempted it.