"Dances with Wolves" Actor Nathan Chasing Horse Removed from Court Before Abuse Trial

Nathan Chasing Horse, once an actor in "Dances with Wolves," was ejected from a courtroom on Monday after attempting to replace his attorney just a week away from his impending trial.

Las Vegas Judge Jessica Peterson decreed that the jury trial would proceed as scheduled the following week.

Chasing Horse faces 21 counts, aggressively denying accusations of sexually abusing various women and minors, including the filming of himself abusing a girl below the age of 14. Authorities assert he exploited his standing as a perceived spiritual guide within Native American communities for more than 20 years.

The courtroom drama escalated when Chasing Horse interrupted to criticize his lawyer, Craig Mueller, for alleged neglect, resulting in his removal by the judge. He requested representation by a former public defender instead.

Defense lawyer Mueller assured the judge that his client was prepared for trial, while in private discussions, he mentioned that an investigator had met with Chasing Horse.

Chasing Horse is recognized for his portrayal of Smiles A Lot in the 1990 film "Dances with Wolves." He was born on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, home to the Sicangu Sioux, part of the Lakota nation.

Post-movie career, he morphed into a self-declared Lakota healer, performing rituals across North America. His arrest in 2023 revealed he resided with his five spouses in North Las Vegas, according to legal documents.

Janessa Lambert accused Chasing Horse of assaulting her in her Canadian home in 2018 post-breakup.

Describing the experience as "repulsive," Lambert recounted her ordeal to KLAS-TV and reported him to law enforcement in 2022. Despite initial skepticism, her complaint was documented, but action was unlikely without Chasing Horse returning to Canada.

Lambert expressed a dual sense of defeat and relief for her proactive stance.

The indictment stirred significant reaction within Native communities. Initially, it was nullified by Nevada's highest court, citing improper instructions on 'grooming' given during grand jury proceedings. Nonetheless, charges were reintroduced within the same year.

Prosecutors argue Chasing Horse led a group dubbed The Circle, with followers believing in his supernatural communication abilities. Many victims, seeking medical aid, were allegedly exploited under this guise.

The trial's duration is estimated to cover three weeks, commencing next Monday.