The second-degree sexual abuse trial of former ISU football player Royce Hooks enters its second week Tuesday.

Hooks and Brent Nash, both former ISU linebackers, are accused of sexually assaulting Ashley Howard, the younger sister of former ISU linemen Marcel and Aaron Howard, at a party at the residence of current ISU safety JaMaine Billups on Jan. 26, 2002. Both Hooks and Nash pleaded not guilty to sexual abuse charges. Hooks’ attorney, Paul Rounds, is arguing the sexual acts were consensual.

Nash’s trial in Story County District Court begins Sept. 9.

Here is a timeline of the court proceedings:

Tuesday, in opening statements, the opposing counsels disagreed on the interpretation of a statement, “I knew it was wrong,” Hooks gave to police after his arrest. Prosecuting attorney Mary Howell Sirna said it was an admission of guilt, while Rounds said Hooks thought the acts were ethically wrong.

Wednesday, Ashley Howard, who cried throughout her testimony, said she was extremely drunk at the party, but did not want to have sex. She said she recalled tripping and falling onto a couch after going into a back room to get her coat. She said two men, unidentifiable in the dark, came into the room. One tried to force her to perform oral sex, while the other penetrated her, she said.

Howard admitted under cross-examination that Sirna had told her to cry on the witness stand.

Howard also said she tried to say “No” to the two men, but could not overcome them. She said the men stopped when they realized she was bleeding vaginally.

Thursday, several friends of Ashley Howard said she was hysterical when she left the Steinbeck Street party and went home. The witnesses confirmed Howard was drunk and that she would not say what happened when she left.

Friday, Ashley Howard’s brothers testified Ashley was inconsolable the night of the party. Aaron Howard said he was frustrated at not being able to find out what had happened at the party.

Aaron Howard said he confronted Hooks and Nash after several people at the party told him they were involved with Ashley Howard. He said Hooks denied involvement initially, while Nash said he and Hooks performed the sexual acts with Ashley’s consent.

Marcel Howard said he was working the night of the party, but left when he listened to a voicemail message from Aaron saying Ashley had been assaulted.

District Judge Timothy J. Finn allowed testimony from both men about a Feb. 12, 2002 incident in which they and former ISU linebacker Justin Eilers entered current ISU cornerback Harold Clewis’ room in Larch Hall.

Both Marcel and Aaron Howard said they physically confronted Clewis, warning him to stop bothering Ashley Howard by making faces and remarks.

Capt. Gene Deisinger of the ISU Police said the confrontation was resolved when officers arrived. He said no charges were filed in the incident.

— Compiled from Daily staff reports