**Nevada Supreme Court Dismisses Charges Against Nathan Chasing Horse, Leaving Door Open for Re-filing**
The Nevada Supreme Court has ordered the dismissal of a comprehensive sex abuse indictment against former actor Nathan Chasing Horse, known for his role as Smiles A Lot in “Dances with Wolves.” The ruling allows prosecutors the opportunity to potentially re-file the charges in the future.
Chasing Horse faced serious allegations, including sexual assault of a minor, kidnapping, and child abuse, and he has maintained his innocence with a not-guilty plea. His case has raised significant concern across Indian Country and prompted additional criminal charges in the U.S. and Canada.
Nathan Chasing Horse, accused of sexually assaulting children for two decades, appears in court during his arraignment ( Image: TNS)
The court’s decision, issued on Thursday, overturns previous rulings that upheld the charges, citing errors in the grand jury proceedings. Chief Deputy Public Defender Kristy Holston argued that a definition of grooming was presented without expert testimony, and that the prosecutors did not provide sufficient evidence to cast doubt on the accusations, including inconsistencies in a victim’s statements.
( Image: TNS)
The Supreme Court acknowledged these errors, 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.”
The case was dismissed which leaves room for prosecutors to bring the charges forward again ( Image: TNS)
While the high court has directed the Clark County District Court judge to dismiss the indictment, it is noted as being without prejudice, meaning that charges can be brought again. The court emphasized the seriousness of the allegations against Chasing Horse but refrained from expressing any opinion regarding his guilt or innocence.
Prosecutors have approximately three weeks to petition for reconsideration of the dismissal. Despite this development, Chasing Horse is expected to remain in custody due to additional charges pending in various jurisdictions, including those filed in the U.S. District Court in Nevada and on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Montana. He was arrested in January near his North Las Vegas home, where he reportedly lived with five wives.
