LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Nevada Supreme Court has made the decision to dismiss a significant sex abuse indictment against Nathan Chasing Horse. This ruling, however, leaves the door open for the potential refiling of charges in a case that has had a profound impact on Native American communities and has led to numerous additional criminal charges across the U.S. and Canada.
The 18-count criminal case against Chasing Horse has been in limbo for over a year as the former actor from “Dances with Wolves” contested the validity of the charges. On Thursday, the full seven-member court overturned previous rulings that had upheld the allegations, including decisions made by a three-member panel of the high court and a state judge.
Chasing Horse’s chief deputy public defender, Kristy Holston, argued that the grand jury’s understanding of grooming was misguided without expert testimony. She also contended that the prosecution failed to present evidence that could raise doubts about the accusations against him, including inconsistencies in the statements of one victim.
The court concurred with Holston’s assessment, stating, “The combination of these two clear errors undermines our confidence in the grand jury proceedings and created intolerable damage to the independent function of the grand jury process,” in a strongly worded order.
The dismissal order mandates that the judge in Clark County District Court dismiss the indictment without prejudice, which means that the charges could still be brought back in the future. The justices made it clear in their ruling that, while the charges are serious, they do not express any judgment on Chasing Horse’s guilt or innocence.
Notably, this dismissal will not be immediate; prosecutors have about three weeks to ask the court for a reconsideration of its decision. Currently, Chasing Horse faces serious allegations, including sexual assault of a minor, kidnapping, and child abuse, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
At 48 years old, Chasing Horse has been in custody since his arrest in January, which occurred near the North Las Vegas home he reportedly shared with five wives. It is unlikely he will be released after this ruling due to facing charges in at least four other jurisdictions, including U.S. District Court in Nevada and on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Montana.
Chasing Horse is primarily recognized for his role as Smiles A Lot in the acclaimed 1990 film “Dances with Wolves.” Since his appearance in the Oscar-winning movie, authorities claim he has developed a reputation as a self-proclaimed medicine man among various tribes, traveling throughout North America to conduct healing ceremonies.
He is accused of exploiting his position to gain access to vulnerable girls and women from the early 2000s onwards. Allegations indicate that he led a cult and took underage wives, with one of them being offered to him as a “gift” at the age of 15 while another joined him after turning 16. Additionally, Chasing Horse is alleged to have recorded sexual assaults and orchestrated sexual encounters with victims for other men, who reportedly paid him for these arrangements.
This case is unfolding in the context of increased efforts by lawmakers and prosecutors nationwide to address issues involving Native women, including human trafficking and homicides. Notably, Chasing Horse was born on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, which is home to the Sicangu Sioux, part of the larger Lakota nation.
Neither Holston nor prosecutor Stacy Kollins provided comments following the court’s ruling.
