Nevada judge briefly restricts media coverage of high-profile trial

A Nevada judge imposed restrictions on media coverage in a prominent sexual assault trial in Las Vegas on Jan. 13, 2026, before modifying the order after objections from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

The initial decision occurred as reporters prepared to cover the high-profile case of Nathan Chasing Horse, an actor who appeared in the 1990 movie “Dances with Wolves.” He is accused of sexually assaulting multiple women in the Native American community under the guise of his role as a self-proclaimed spiritual leader and healer.

Clark County District Judge Jessica Peterson issued a decorum order that barred interviews with witnesses or other parties at the courthouse while the trial is underway. It restricted the media from publishing any identifying information about victims without permission and about a police officer who was testifying.

Later that day, Review-Journal attorney Benjamin Lipman sent a letter to the court arguing the restrictions violated the First Amendment and amounted to an unconstitutional prior restraint.

“Attending court proceedings is a constitutional right, not a mere privilege,” the letter said.

The next day, Peterson issued a revised decorum order removing the interview prohibition and narrowing the publication restrictions.

In a statement, the judge said her order had been used by the district court previously without issue, but that she decided that provisions challenged by the news organization could be seen as overly broad, the Review-Journal reported.

The amended order now allows media interviews so long as jurors cannot overhear them and witnesses do not discuss their testimony.