Nathan Chasing Horse, the former “Dances with Wolves” actor, has had a sprawling sex abuse indictment against him dismissed by the Nevada Supreme Court. This decision comes after a year-long legal battle and reverses earlier rulings upholding the charges. The court cited errors in the grand jury proceedings as the reason for the dismissal, stating that evidence presented was tainted and exculpatory evidence was not provided.
Grand Jury Errors Lead to Dismissal
The Nevada Supreme Court found significant flaws in the way the state presented evidence to the grand jury. The court found that an improper definition of grooming was presented without expert testimony, tainting the evidence against Chasing Horse. Additionally, prosecutors failed to provide the grand jury with exculpatory evidence, including inconsistencies in the statements of one of the victims.
Insufficient Evidence
The court stated that the lack of proper expert testimony on grooming, combined with the omission of exculpatory evidence, undermined its confidence in the grand jury proceedings and compromised their independence. These findings suggest that the state failed to adequately support its case against Chasing Horse before the grand jury.
Prosecution’s Opportunity
The indictment has been dismissed without prejudice, meaning the state can refile charges against Chasing Horse. However, this decision comes after significant delays and will require a new indictment to be secured based on sufficient evidence that avoids the errors highlighted by the Supreme Court. The state now has a chance to correct the procedural errors that led to the dismissal.
Challenges Ahead
Refiling charges could prove challenging for the state. The court’s strong stance on the errors in the original case sets a high bar for prosecutors to meet. They will need to demonstrate that new evidence has been obtained, and the prosecution can address the issues related to the grand jury process.
Continuing Investigations and Accusations
Although the indictment in Nevada has been dismissed, investigations into Chasing Horse’s activities continue. He faces additional criminal charges in other jurisdictions, including:
- U.S. District Court in Nevada: Sexual abuse charges.
- Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Montana: Sexual abuse charges.
He is also subject to investigation by Canadian authorities regarding possible past sexual assaults in Southern Alberta.
Wide-Ranging Impact
The allegations against Chasing Horse, who had a reputation as a medicine man and spiritual leader, have had a significant impact within Indigenous communities. The dismissal of the Nevada indictment is a legal setback, but the legal battle may continue.
Takeaway Points
- The Nevada Supreme Court’s dismissal of the sex abuse indictment against Nathan Chasing Horse highlights the critical importance of following legal procedure during grand jury proceedings.
- Prosecutors now have a chance to refile charges, but they will need to address the specific errors identified by the court to proceed successfully.
- The investigation into Chasing Horse is ongoing in multiple jurisdictions, emphasizing the broad reach of the allegations against him.
- The impact of these allegations continues to be felt within Indigenous communities, where Chasing Horse held significant influence as a spiritual leader.