Overview
- Nevada Judge Jessica Peterson on Monday ordered life in prison with parole eligibility after 37 years, following a January jury conviction.
- Jurors found the 49-year-old guilty on 13 counts tied to three accusers, including sexual assault of a minor under 16, open and gross lewdness, sexual assault, and one child sexual abuse material count, while acquitting him on eight other charges.
- Prosecutors said he used his image as a Lakota medicine man to groom victims over nearly two decades, and authorities described his follower group, The Circle, as drawing as many as 350 people.
- Victims and relatives told the court they still face trauma and a loss of faith, with one woman describing ongoing health issues after an ectopic pregnancy linked to the abuse.
- Chasing Horse denied wrongdoing and called the outcome a miscarriage of justice, his bid for a new trial was rejected, and separate cases in British Columbia and an Alberta warrant remain pending.