Posted on: March 27, 2024, 07:06h.
Last updated on: March 27, 2024, 07:06h.
The Nevada Supreme Court will hear another appeal from Nathan Chasing Horse in his attorneys’ continuing effort to dismiss multiple sex charges against him.
A majority of jurists on the state’s top court on March 22 okayed hearing the appeal.
Those in favor include Justices Elissa Cadish, Lidia Stiglich, Douglas Herndon, and Linda Bell. Three justices, Kristina Pickering, Patricia Lee, and Ron Parraguirre voted to deny the legal petition.
The petition is the third submitted by Chasing Horse’s legal team.
Prior Appeal Rejected
Chasing Horse’s earlier appeal was rejected by two out of three Supreme Court justices. Patricia Lee and Ron D. Parraguirre ruled against Chasing Horse while Douglas Herndon dissented in that appeal. Another appeal was rejected by the justices, too.
Among the lawyers representing Chasing Horse is Clark County public defender Kristy Holston.
She has argued the females who reported the wrongdoing actually consented to the sex. Holton also criticized prosecutors who gave grand jury members a definition of “grooming” and improperly provided jurors other information, according to Las Vegas TV station KLAS.
Now in jail, Chasing Horse is facing 18 counts in Clark County. He was indicted on six counts of sexual assault, 10 counts of sexual assault against a minor, as well as kidnapping of a minor, and lewdness. A drug count was dropped.
Teens Among Victims
The allegations stem from incidents that took place between 2014 and 2020. Victims include Native American teens and women.
One of these victims, Ren Leone, formerly Corena Chasing Horse, claims he began to abuse her when she was just 14. Leone, like some other victims, said Chasing Horse groomed them as future wives.
He also promised some of them to provide healing powers including to Leone’s cancer-stricken mother.
He met his victims while serving as the leader and “medicine man” of a reputed cult called “The Circle.”
Chasing Horse has been in custody at the Clark County Detention Center since his January 2023 apprehension while at his North Las Vegas residence. He shared the home with his many wives.
His bail was set at $300K. He has pleaded not guilty to charges in Clark County court.
Chasing Horse is facing similar charges or pending counts in Nevada federal court, as well as in Montana and Canada.
He gained fame after he starred in the “Dances With Wolves” movie. Chasing Horse portrayed a character, Smiles a Lot, in the 1990 Kevin Costner film.
