After nearly two weeks of deliberation, a former ISU football player has reached a decision regarding who will represent him in court.

Royce Hooks, 21, 515 S. 4th St. #27, and Brent Nash, 21, 214 Gray Ave., are charged with second-degree sexual assault.

Until recent developments in the case, Hooks has been represented by defense attorney John Martens.

According to court documents, Hooks was deemed indigent and therefore ruled eligible for court-appointed counsel. Hooks requested that Martens be appointed to him at public expense, due to his familiarity with the case.

According to documents, the court denied Hooks’ request, stating, “If a defendant wants a court-appointed attorney, the court is the entity who determines who is appointed.”

Originally, Hooks had from Feb. 12 to Feb. 20 to file his decision regarding his appointment of council, but was granted a four-day extension.

Hooks made the decision to be represented by a court-appointed attorney Monday.

According to court documents filed Tuesday, Martens was allowed to withdraw from the case and Hooks was ordered to contact the public defender immediately.

Paul Rounds, head of the Nevada public defender’s office, confirmed Tuesday afternoon he will now be Hooks’ attorney.

“We’re now appointed to represent Mr. Hooks,” Rounds said.

Since the case has been assigned to him, Rounds could not comment on the case, but did say, “the public defender’s office will work hard to make sure people have a fair trial and the jury comes to the appropriate decision.”

Hooks’ trial is scheduled on a standby basis for May 13. If the case is not reached for trial on that date, it will be held June 10, according to court documents.

Nash is represented by defense attorney Joseph Cahill. His trial is set to begin 9 a.m. May 13, according to court documents.

Both trials will take place at the Story County Courthouse in Nevada.

Hooks, senior in exercise and sport science, and Nash, junior in exercise and sport science, have been accused of sexually assaulting ISU student Ashley Howard at an off-campus party Jan. 26, 2002.

In a complaint filed with the Ames Police Department, Howard said she was sexually assaulted when she went into a room to get her coat as she was leaving a party at 4701 Steinbeck St. #4.

Howard, freshman in anthropology, has previously given the Daily the right to release her name in conjunction with the case.

She is the sister of former ISU football players Marcel and Aaron Howard.