A Nevada jury on Friday convicted “Dances With Wolves” actor Nathan Chasing Horse of a number of fees of sexually assaulting a minor.
The jurors in Las Vegas discovered Chasing Horse responsible of 13 of the 21 fees he confronted. Many of the responsible verdicts centered on Chasing Horse’s conduct with a sufferer who was 14 when he started assaulting her. He was acquitted of some sexual assault fees when the principle sufferer was older and lived with him and his different companions. He had pleaded not responsible to all 21 fees.
Chasing Horse, 49, faces a minimal of 25 years in jail. His sentencing is scheduled for March 11.
The verdicts mark the climax of a yearslong effort to prosecute Chasing Horse after he was first arrested and indicted in 2023 in a case that despatched shock waves via Indian Nation. The Nevada Supreme Courtroom ordered the dismissal of Chasing Horse’s authentic indictment in 2024.
He has additionally been charged with intercourse crimes in different states in addition to Canada. British Columbia prosecutors mentioned Friday that after Chasing Horse has been sentenced and any appeals are completed within the U.S., they are going to assess subsequent steps of their prosecution.
As the decision was learn, Chasing Horse stood quietly. Victims and their supporters cried and hugged within the hallway whereas sporting yellow ribbons. The primary sufferer declined to remark.
John Locher / AP
William Rowles, the Clark County chief deputy district lawyer, thanked the ladies who had accused Chasing Horse of assault for testifying.
“I simply hope that the individuals who got here ahead through the years and made complaints in opposition to Nathan Chasing Horse can discover some peace on this,” he mentioned.
Protection lawyer Craig Mueller mentioned he’ll file a movement for a brand new trial and advised The Related Press he was confused and upset within the jury’s verdict. He mentioned he had some “significant doubts in regards to the sincerity of the accusations.”
“Dances With Wolves” was one of the distinguished movies that includes Native American actors when it premiered in 1990. After Chasing Horse appeared within the Oscar-winning movie, he traveled throughout North America and carried out therapeutic ceremonies.
Chasing Horse was born on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, dwelling to the Sicangu Sioux, one of many seven tribes of the Lakota nation. He’s extensively recognized for his portrayal of Smiles a Lot in Kevin Costner’s Oscar-winning movie.
Earlier this month, per week earlier than the trial, Chasing Horse was quickly thrown out of courtroom after he disrupted proceedings with calls for he be allowed to fireplace his protection lawyer.
His trial got here as authorities have responded extra in recent times to an epidemic of violence in opposition to Native girls.
In the course of the three-week trial, jurors heard from three girls who say Chasing Horse sexually assaulted them, a few of whom have been underage on the time.
Clark County Deputy District Legal professional Bianca Pucci mentioned in her closing statements Wednesday that for nearly 20 years, Chasing Horse “spun an online of abuse” that caught many ladies.
Mueller mentioned in his closing statements there was no proof, together with eyewitnesses. He questioned the principle accuser’s credibility, describing her as a “scorned girl.”
Prosecutors mentioned sexual assault circumstances not often have eyewitnesses and sometimes occur behind closed doorways.
The primary accuser was 14 years previous in 2012 when Chasing Horse allegedly advised her the spirits wished her to surrender her virginity to save lots of her mom, who was identified with most cancers. He then sexually assaulted her and advised her that if she advised anybody, her mom would die, Pucci mentioned throughout opening statements.
“At this time’s verdict sends a transparent message that exploitation and abuse won’t be tolerated, whatever the defendant’s public persona or claims of non secular authority,” mentioned Clark County District Legal professional Steve Wolfson, who got here in to the Las Vegas courtroom to listen to the decision, in an announcement.
