Las Vegas judge attacked by man denied probation
A man who had been denied probation attacked a judge during his sentencing in a Nevada courtroom Wednesday in a violent episode that was captured on video.
The man, Deobra Redden, 30, was in court Wednesday morning in Las Vegas for a sentencing hearing after pleading guilty to attempted battery with substantial bodily harm, an Eighth Judicial District Court spokeswoman said in a statement Wednesday.
In a video of the hearing, which circulated widely on social media, Mr. Redden is seen jumping over a courtroom bench onto Judge Mary Kay Holthus, causing flags to fall to the ground behind the bench. The bench blocks the view of Judge Holthus and Mr. Redden for several moments in the video as swearing occurs in the background. Seconds later, three men are seen trying to subdue Mr. Redden, while also punching him repeatedly.
Judge Holthus, 62, was injured and her condition was being monitored, the court spokeswoman said. A court marshal was also injured and taken to a hospital where he was believed to be in stable condition, the spokeswoman said.
“We commend the heroic actions of its personnel, law enforcement authorities and all others who subdued the defendant,” the Eighth Court said in a statement. “The court remains committed to a safe courthouse and courtrooms. We are reviewing all our protocols and will do whatever is necessary to protect the judiciary, the public and our employees.
Judge Holthus and a lawyer for Mr. Redden did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday.
Las Vegas police said detectives were investigating a battery at the courthouse Wednesday morning. In a statement that did not identify anyone involved in the attack, police said two victims were taken to University Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries and the suspect was in custody.
Just before Mr. Redden jumped over the couch, his attorney asked Judge Holthus to sentence Mr. Redden to probation.
“I appreciate that, but I think it’s time he got a taste of something else,” Judge Holthus said before proceeding with her sentencing.
“I just can’t deal with that history,” Judge Holthus said, appearing to refer to Mr. Redden’s criminal background.
Court records show that Mr. Redden has previously spent time in prison, including in 2015 when he was sentenced to a minimum of 19 months for attempted theft. Mr. Redden served time for domestic battery in 2021, according to Nevada Department of Corrections records.
Judge Holthus joined the Clark County court in January 2019 after more than 27 years with the Clark County District Attorney’s Office, according to court records. Eighth Judicial District Court.
Before visitors enter a Clark County courtroom, they are screened for weapons and other illegal items, the Eighth Judicial District Court said. regulations. Visitors are also asked to sit quietly in the courtroom.
Courthouses typically have some security, and in some cases guards have also been victims of attacks. Last year, a man was sentenced to 46 months in prison for assaulting a security officer at the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse in Las Vegas in 2022, according to the Justice.