Mount Rushmore protest leader wants case to go to trial
RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A leader of a July 3 protest before President Donald Trump’s visit to Mount Rushmore wants his his case to go to trial after a judge found probable cause for his felony charges.
“We’re going to trial, we’re not taking any plea deals, these charges are all unfounded,” Nick Tilsen said after his preliminary hearing at the Pennington County Court on Friday.
The Rapid City Journal reports Magistrate Judge Todd Hyronimus said he found probable cause after he watched police body camera footage and heard from four witnesses.
Evidence in court included a video that showed Tilsen taking a shield from a National Guard soldier.
Tilsen is charged with second-degree robbery and grand theft in the alternative, meaning Tilsen could only be convicted of one — not both — of those charges in relation to the shield. He’s also charged with two counts of simple assault against law enforcement.
Tilsen faces up to 16 years in prison.
Former South Dakota U.S. Attorney Brendan Johnson is one of Tilsen’s defense lawyers.