A man violently assaulted a Las Vegas judge in her courtroom on Wednesday, causing her to seek shelter and resulting in injuries to a marshal, as shown in video footage obtained by the 8 News Now Investigators.
An incident occurred in a Las Vegas Clark County courtroom today when an individual became violent towards a judge after their probation request was denied. https://t.co/dePVbMZExy
— Spiritual Word (@SpiritualWordCS) January 3, 2024
Deobra Redden, 30, a three-time felon, appeared in Clark County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus’ courtroom for sentencing on a charge of attempted battery with substantial bodily harm, according to records.
At approximately 11 a.m. Holthus was seated behind the bench when Redden suddenly approached her, leaping over the bench and launching an attack. This shocking incident was captured on video and shared with the 8 News Now Investigators. After a heated altercation, a group of individuals proceeded to engage in physical confrontation with Redden, ultimately overpowering him and forcing him to the ground. An alarm blared for several minutes, alerting others to the incident.
Before the attack, Redden’s attorney asked Holthus to sentence his client to probation. Holthus then said, “I think it’s time he get a taste of something else.”
On April 23, Redden “[threatened] to bust the kneecaps” of another man, “resulting in substantial bodily harm,” documents said.
In May, another judge deemed it necessary for Redden to undergo a competency determination, according to records. Redden was subsequently admitted to a state behavioral facility. In October, a judge determined that Redden was competent.
Redden admitted his guilt in November. In December, Judge Holthus issued a bench warrant for his arrest when he failed to appear in court.
Redden has been booked into the Clark County jail on additional charges of battery and battery on a protected person. The charge of battery on a protected person indicated that the victim suffered significant harm. He had a court appearance scheduled for 9 a.m. on Thursday for the new charges.
Holthus was elected to the bench in 2018 by the voters. She has prior experience at the Clark County District Attorney’s Office. She frequently encounters cases involving domestic violence and sexual assault.
Holthus suffered a minor head injury, but fortunately, she is reported to be in stable condition. A marshal sustained an injury.
Redden had previously faced charges of malicious destruction of property, with Holthus as the opposing party. According to records, he was incarcerated for a year beginning in 2021 due to a domestic battery charge.
“Thank God the judge is okay,” Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said in a statement. “Thank God for the heroic efforts of those who came to her aid, especially her marshal and her law clerk. Without them, the situation would have been much worse as this defendant exhibited extremely violent behavior and I’m confident there will be consequences.”
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