RAPID CITY, SD — Following the beginning of his trial on monday, both defense and prosecution have spent days bringing forward evidence, closing with a cross-examination of Tilsen during the morning session.
According to prosecution, Tilsen stands accused of Aggravated Assault on Law Enforcement, Simple Assault, and Obstruction of Law Enforcement following a 2022 incident occurring at around 10pm in June. A police officer heading south on 7th st. saw a man who appeared to be drunk, and exited the vehicle to speak with him, standing on or near an open parking spot at the end of the block near presidential pawn. Tilsen reports that he saw this interaction and intended to initiate a “Cop Watch”, a legal practice wherein community members are allowed to observe police activity. After pulling partially into the parking spot, Tilsen brakes his vehicle, before accelerating for a moment and once again braking, without contact being made with the officer.
The argument which both sides of this trial have been putting forward for the past days is threefold: Where was the officer when this occurred, was the officer in the direct path of the vehicle, and was Tilsen’s intent to intimidate or harm the officer involved?
While much of the prior two days was dedicated to witnesses to the incident, prosecution made a last-moment addition to the pool of evidence which they stated they believed was made relevant following Tilsen’s examination, which he described as being related to “Community Aid” and activity related to his work as an activist and CEO of NDN Collective. The prosecution moved to admit both an interview which took place two weeks prior to the start of the trial, as well as a website for NDN’s Legal Fund, a program which seeks to “Protect our people through both offensive and defensive legal representation in the courts,” which calls for the release of Tilsen.
Tilsen’s character was brought into question by prosecution with this evidence, who in occasionally argumentative questioning attempted to dissect the recollection of the event on the podcast, which Tilsen states occurred prior to his review of evidence related to the 2022 incident, as well as claiming that Tilsen monetarily benefitted from the trial itself through donations to the 501c3 Nonprofit Group, which he denies. He maintains that NDN exists as an advocate for the native american community, and that he is a member of that community.
Following examinations both sides of the case rested. Court is set to reconvene at 1pm today for closing arguments, after which the jury is set to deliberate the case.
