Body cam footage under scrutiny in trial of NDN Collective leader Nick Tilsen

RAPID CITY – After hearing a half day of testimony from Rapid City Police officers who were called to testify in the trial of Nick Tilsen the CEO and Founder of NDN Collective, Judge Michael Day dismissed the jury for the afternoon, anticipating after Tilsen’s testimony on Wednesday, that the case would be in the hands of the jury by the end of proceedings on Wednesday.

A large contingent of community members, relatives, and co-workers packed the courtroom again in support of Tilsen for the second day of testimony on Tuesday.

Officer Nicholas Glass had filed charges against Tilsen accusing him of “using his truck to menace” Glass.

The long-delayed trial began after jury selection on Monday morning. Glass took the stand, after both parties delivered opening statements, and described events of the night of June 11, 2022. He explained to the jury that he was attempting to engage with a man whom he said was intoxicated, a danger, and walking in the crosswalk in front of traffic when Nick Tilsen “tried to run me over with his truck.”

The prosecutor’s office showed police body cam footage, dash cam footage, and footage from a nearby business primarily focusing on the moment when Tilsen pulled his truck into the parking space next to where Glass was speaking with the pedestrian whom Glass described as “confrontational.” Glass said he “was in fear of his life” as he heard the sound of a vehicle behind him.

Tilsen can be heard identifying himself and his intent, to which Glass immediately relays to police dispatch that “Nick Tilsen just tried to hit me with his car.” Other officers arrive promptly.

Glass told the jury that he was standing in the parking space, and it should have been clear to Tilsen that Glass was working and wasn’t going to move. Glass said he didn’t indicate to Tilsen not to park in the space saying, “I thought he would get the hint.”

Glass and defense attorney John Murphy argued if Glass was in the parking stall, was standing on the left line, or wasn’t in the parking stall at all, and whether or not he knew of Tilsen’s intent. Glass repeatedly characterized Tilsen’s approach and demeanor as threatening, “If I hadn’t moved, I would be under that truck.”

Murphy said the various video angles demonstrate that Glass was to the far left of the parking stall and Tilsen’s tires pointed to the right and the vehicle is also to the far right of the stall. Glass said that the video from Presidential Pawn was flawed.

Immediately upon arriving, as seen and heard on the body cam, Tilsen rolled down his window and told Glass, “I’m making sure you aren’t harassing people.” During a brief exchange Glass accused Tilsen of trying to run him over, which Tilsen immediately denied and again stated his intent to monitor police action.

Other officers testified that they were preparing for Tilsen to perhaps attempt to drive away, knowing only the brief details shared by Glass over dispatch. But during the entire event, Tilsen can be seen and heard turning on the truck cab light, putting his hands on the steering wheel, rolling down windows to speak with officers and tell them his intent to monitor.

Tilsen resisted a command to step out of the vehicle, saying he was scared. Officers awaited instructions from the sergeant on duty about how to proceed. Tilsen was never told he was under arrest or detained. Ultimately, officers did not arrest Tilsen on scene.

“It was apparent in all the videos that Mr. Tilsen’s pickup was moving very slowly with no evidence of trying to run into the police officer,” Spotted Eagle told Native Sun News Today. She works with Native communities using a model she developed to build trust and safety.

“Everybody has original traumas, and those cops have original traumas that they can hide with aggression,” said Spotted Eagle. “It turned into a trauma reaction when there was no real threat. Law enforcement can grow by learning this communal place-based sovereignty that we possess will never go away and we have much to teach, as Nick was doing on that evening. Things can be better.”

Timeline of events:

2022

June 11, 2022 — Glass accuses Tilsen of assaulting an officer.

2023

June 30, 2023 — NDN Collective announces March Toward Justice and launches the campaign.

July 3, 2023 — Voluntary surrender. Tilsen turns himself in to police.

July 4, 2023 — March Toward Justice is peaceful.

October 26, 2023 — Tilsen pleads not guilty.

November 15, 2023 — Bond revocation denied.

2024

August 27, 2024 — New Judge Michael Day is assigned after Judge Craig Pfeifle resigns and multiple judges recuse themselves.

September 28, 2024 — First Motion to Dismiss. Defense argues the long delay violates Tilsen’s rights. This motion was not addressed until June 2025.

October 5, 2024 — Second Motion to Dismiss. Defense argues in the addition filing that the case is a vindictive prosecution. More delay concerns. This motion also was not addressed until June 2025.

October 28, 2024 — Travel restrictions lifted, Tilsen is finally allowed to travel.

2025

June 11–12, 2025 — Evidentiary hearing. Two day hearing on motions and case status. Continued to August 1, 2025.

August 1, 2025 — Case taken under advisement. Judge delays decision pending review.

December 15, 2025 — The Judge denies Tilsen’s Motions to Dismiss. Trial is scheduled. .

2026

January 12, 2026 —A new charge, simple assault was added – extending the case further.

NDN Collective says there is a politically motivated effort to criminalize Tilsen. After they announced the family friendly and peaceful March Toward Justice on June 30, 2023, to raise awareness of police violence against the local Native American community, city leaders made fearmongering statements against the event. Mayor Steve Allender issued a public safety warning calling the event a public safety hazard. During his final interview the day before the event, Allender said the “group appears to want war.”

NDN Collective called the statement by the mayor “alarming” and continues a legacy of painting Indigenous people as dangerous

Katie Urban from the South Dakota State Attorney’s Office in a statement to Indian Country Today denied that Tilsen was targeted. “This case, like all cases our office prosecutes, is based on the evidence and our ability to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Last week, Rapid City community members delivered nearly 22,000 petition signatures to the Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office, which called for the charges against Tilsen to be dropped. Additionally, 547 organizational leaders signed a letter of support for Tilsen over the weekend.

(Contact Marnie Cook at cookm8715@gmail.com)

The post Body cam footage under scrutiny in trial of NDN Collective leader Nick Tilsen first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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