Overview
- The former Dances With Wolves actor has pleaded not guilty to 21 charges, including sexual assault of a minor, kidnapping of a minor and use of a minor in producing pornography.
- Prosecutors contend he leveraged his standing as a Lakota medicine man to groom Indigenous girls and women through spiritual coercion.
- One accuser was 14 in 2012 when he allegedly said surrendering her virginity would save her mother from cancer, then threatened harm if she disclosed the abuse.
- The defense told jurors there is no DNA or eyewitness evidence and urged a not guilty verdict.
- Authorities have described an alleged group called the Circle with as many as 350 followers across the U.S. and Canada, adding community and cross-border dimensions to the case.