A Nevada jury has delivered a guilty verdict against actor Nathan Chasing Horse, known for his role in the film Dances With Wolves, on multiple charges of sexual assault involving Indigenous women and girls. The conviction marks a significant moment in a case that has reverberated through Native American communities.
Jury Delivers Guilty Verdict on Majority of Charges
On Friday, the Las Vegas jury found Chasing Horse guilty on 13 out of 21 charges brought against him. The charges predominantly involved a victim who was just 14 years old when the abuse commenced. While he was acquitted on some charges related to an older victim described as a wife, the conviction carries severe consequences. Chasing Horse, aged 49, now faces a minimum prison sentence of 25 years, with his formal sentencing scheduled for March 11.
Exploitation of Spiritual Status
Prosecutors argued that Chasing Horse exploited his revered position as a Lakota medicine man to prey upon vulnerable Indigenous women and girls. This verdict culminates a years-long effort to hold him accountable, following his initial arrest and indictment in 2023. As the verdict was read in court, Chasing Horse remained silent, while victims and their supporters embraced in the hallway, many wearing yellow ribbons as a symbol of solidarity.
Victims' Testimonies and Prosecution's Case
During the three-week trial, jurors heard emotional testimonies from three women who accused Chasing Horse of sexual assault, some of whom were minors at the time of the alleged crimes. The jury returned guilty verdicts on charges related to all three accusers. In her closing statements, Deputy District Attorney Bianca Pucci described how, for nearly two decades, Chasing Horse had "spun a web of abuse" that ensnared numerous women.
One particularly harrowing account involved the main accuser, who was 14 years old in 2012. Prosecutors stated that Chasing Horse allegedly told her that spirits demanded she relinquish her virginity to save her mother, who had been diagnosed with cancer. After sexually assaulting her, he reportedly threatened that if she disclosed the abuse, her mother would die.
Defense Arguments and Response
Defense attorney Craig Mueller expressed confusion and disappointment at the jury's decision, announcing plans to file a motion for a new trial. Mueller raised doubts about the sincerity of the accusations, questioning the credibility of the main accuser by describing her as a "scorned woman." He also highlighted the absence of eyewitness evidence. However, prosecutors countered that sexual assault cases rarely involve eyewitnesses, as such crimes typically occur behind closed doors.
Broader Context of Violence Against Native Women
This trial unfolded against a backdrop of increasing awareness and response to what authorities describe as an epidemic of violence against Native women. William Rowles, the Clark County chief deputy district attorney, extended gratitude to the women who bravely testified against Chasing Horse. "I just hope that the people who came forward over the years and made complaints against Nathan Chasing Horse can find some peace in this," he remarked.
Chasing Horse gained prominence after appearing in the Oscar-winning film Dances With Wolves in 1990, one of the most notable films featuring Native American actors at the time. Following his cinematic success, he traveled extensively across North America, performing healing ceremonies that bolstered his reputation within Indigenous communities.
