LAS VEGAS, Nevada (KLAS) – A man attacked a Las Vegas judge in her courtroom on Wednesday, forcing her to seek cover and hurting a marshal in the process, according to video acquired by 8 News Now Investigators.
According to court records, Deobra Redden, 30, a three-time criminal, was in Clark County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus’ courtroom for sentence on a charge of attempted violence with serious bodily damage.
Holthus was sitting behind the bench at 11 a.m. when Redden approached her, hopped over the bench, and attacked her, according to video obtained with 8 News Now Investigators. Several other people then attacked Redden and threw him to the ground. For several minutes, an alarm sounded, alerting others to the tragedy.
Prior to the attack, Redden’s attorney requested that Holthus sentence his client to probation. “I think it’s time he tried something else,” Holthus added.
On April 23, Redden “[threatened] to bust the kneecaps” of another guy, “resulting in substantial bodily harm,” according to court filings.
According to court records, a different judge ordered Redden to undergo a competency evaluation in May. Redden was then confined to a state mental institution. In October, a judge judged Redden competent.
In November, Redden entered a guilty plea. In December, Judge Holthus issued a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear in court.
Redden was arrested and put into the Clark County jail on new battery and battery on a protected person charges. One count of violence on a protected person stated that the victim had been “substantially harmed.” He was scheduled to appear in court on the new counts at 9 a.m. Thursday.
Holthus was voted to the bench by voters in 2018. She previously worked for the District Attorney’s Office of Clark County. She frequently hears cases involving domestic violence and sexual assault.
According to accounts, Holthus hit her head but was unharmed. According to a court official, Holthus’ injuries are “being monitored.” A marshal with a huge gash on his forehead was rushed to the hospital. A spokeswoman said he was in stable condition as of Wednesday afternoon.
The court spokeswoman continued, “We applaud the courageous actions of her staff, law enforcement, and everyone else who subdued the defendant.” “The court is still dedicated to maintaining a secure court building and courtrooms. We are examining all of our procedures and will take all required precautions to safeguard the public, the judiciary, and our staff members.
Redden was previously charged with intentionally destroying property in front of Holthus. According to records, he began serving a year in prison in 2021 on a domestic violence charge. A different court in that instance sentenced Redden to a term of 12 to 30 months in prison. In 2022, a board gave Redden parole.
Steve Wolfson, the district attorney for Clark County, released a statement saying, “Thank God the judge is okay.” “We are grateful for the selfless actions of those who rescued her, particularly her marshal and law clerk. Since the defendant displayed extraordinarily violent behavior, the situation would have been considerably worse without them, and I’m sure there will be consequences.
Democratic Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford released a statement saying, “Sending our sincere well wishes to District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus and the marshal injured in her courtroom today.” “I sincerely admire your commitment to the court and justice. We hope you both get well soon.
