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

By Lucas Grundmeier

and William Dillon

Daily Staff Writers

NEVADA — Ashley Howard’s friends and two of her brothers testified Friday that members of the ISU football team, after the alleged sexual assault by former ISU football players Royce Hooks and Brent Nash, tried to persuade the Howard family to “let it go.” Hooks is on trial for second-degree sexual abuse.

Hooks, senior in exercise and sport science, and Nash, junior in exercise and sport science, are charged with assaulting Howard in a back room during a party at 4701 Steinbeck St. #4 on Jan. 26, 2002. The party, held at the residence of ISU safety Ja’Maine Billups, crowded the apartment and was attended by many ISU football players, several witnesses said.

Defense attorney Paul Rounds questioned both Aaron and Marcel Howard about an incident occurring a couple weeks after the party. He said the brothers and former Cyclone linebacker Justin Eilers went to the room of current ISU cornerback Harold Clewis, junior in industrial technology.

Clewis shared the room with Nash.

“He said [earlier] he was mad about what our family was trying to do to his friend,” Aaron said.

Aaron said they entered the room and that Clewis was visibly upset, throwing down a chair when he identified the visitors.

Aaron said they went to see Clewis because he had been making fun of Ashley, making inappropriate comments about her and making faces.

He said Marcel grabbed Clewis for a moment, breaking a computer stand. Then, he said, Clewis threatened Aaron before Aaron “put him on the floor.”

Rounds said Clewis recently tried to press charges against the three men, but the complaint was dismissed by the Story County Attorney’s Office.

Rounds said he thought the charges were dismissed because of the Howards’ value as witnesses in Hooks and Nash’s trials, a claim prosecution attorneys denied. Rounds asked Aaron why he wasn’t concerned about charges.

“The reason I’m not worried about being charged is I know I did nothing wrong,” he said.

Ashley Howard, a former ISU student, previously gave the Daily permission to use her name in connection with this case.

Both 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 football squad.

Aaron said the first time he saw Ashley at the party, her coat was half-on, her hair was not in place and she was stumbling down the hallway. She saw Aaron and fell into a hug with him.

Aaron said he tried to persuade Ashley to tell him what had happened, but she refused. He said Ashley whispered something to her friend Samone Turner, sophomore in pre-business, causing her to immediately place her hand over her mouth. Turner would not tell Aaron what was whispered, and told him he would have to hear the news from Ashley.

Rainey Eanes, junior in exercise and sport science, said Turner told her that something was wrong with Ashley immediately after she wouldn’t tell Aaron. Eanes said she has been dating Aaron Howard for about three years.

Ashley did not look well, Eanes said.

“[She] was not making much sense … Her pantyhose looked messed up to me,” she said.

Howard testified Thursday her pantyhose were lowered against her will, but Rounds said no tears or holes were found in the pantyhose to suggest they were forcefully lowered.

Eanes said Ashley pleaded with her, “Don’t tell Aaron.”

Marcel Howard was working when the alleged assault took place. He said he found a message on his cell phone from Aaron that something had happened to Ashley.

He called her and took her back to the party, where he said Nash told him he and Hooks had performed sexual acts with Ashley Howard, although they said it was consensual activity.

On Jan. 27, 2002, Marcel said, his aunt came to Ames and convinced Ashley to be examined at a hospital.

He said Hooks called him that day and told him two University of Iowa football players had attacked Ashley, denying he had any involvement in the incident.

Eanes will face her first cross-examination by Rounds when the trial resumes Monday morning.