Las Vegas, Nevada — December 10, 2024: A man who leaped over a courtroom bench and assaulted a Nevada judge during a sentencing hearing was sentenced to serve between 26 and 65 years in prison. Deobra Delone Redden, 31, was convicted of multiple charges stemming from the January 2024 attack on Clark County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus.
The courtroom incident, captured on video and widely shared online, unfolded as Redden appeared in court for sentencing on a felony battery case. As Judge Holthus was about to deliver his sentence, Redden suddenly vaulted over the approximately 4-foot-high judge’s bench. He grabbed the judge by the hair and struck her head before being restrained by court officials and security personnel. The attack left Judge Holthus with minor injuries, though she did not require hospitalization.
Following the assault, Redden faced several additional charges, including attempted murder. He later pleaded guilty but mentally ill to six of the charges, including battery on a protected person and assault with a deadly weapon. He maintained a not-guilty plea to attempted murder.
During the trial, Judge Holthus testified about the harrowing moments of the attack, stating that she feared for her life. Redden’s defense team disclosed that he had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and was not on his prescribed medication at the time of the incident. This information was presented as a mitigating factor during the sentencing process.
At the December 10 sentencing, Redden expressed remorse for his actions. Addressing the court, he stated, “I’m not making excuses for my actions, but I’m saying I’m not a bad person and I know that I did not intend to kill Mary Kay Holthus.”
Judge Holthus, while acknowledging Redden’s apology, emphasized the seriousness of the attack. “This was not just an attack on me as an individual,” she said, “it was an attack on the justice system.”
Redden’s sentence includes eligibility for parole sometime after 2050. The incident has raised concerns about courtroom security, prompting reviews of safety protocols for judicial personnel and the public. The swift response by court staff and security was widely commended, with officials noting that their actions prevented more severe injuries.
The case has also highlighted issues surrounding mental health care for individuals in the criminal justice system. Advocates have called for increased resources and better access to treatment for defendants with serious mental illnesses.
References:
- Associated Press, “Man who jumped a desk to attack a Nevada judge in the courtroom is sentenced,” AP News.
- People, “Judge Attacked in Courtroom in Viral Video Said She Thought She Was Going to Die, as Suspect Pleads Guilty,” People.
- CBS News, “Defendant attacks Nevada judge in court, sparking bloody brawl,” CBS News.
- Image courtesy of AP News
