Man who attacked Las Vegas judge in viral video charged with her attempted murder
Deobra Redden, the 30-year-old man who was recently captured on camera launching a shocking attack on a judge in Las Vegas, has now been charged with attempted murder.
Redden was in court to receive sentencing for a felony battery charge when he perpetrated a shocking attack on District Judge Mary Kay Holthus. The incident, captured on camera, showed him leaping over the defence table and the judge’s bench, landing on top of Judge Holthus.
Court documents obtained by CNN now indicate that Redden has been charged with attempted murder, along with counts of battery on a protected person, extortion, and intimidating a public officer, among other charges.
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The charges extend to allegations that Redden fought with a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officer, a clerk, and a marshal, and even spat on an officer during the violent episode. The court documents describe the attack on Judge Holthus as involving grabbing, hair pulling, placing hands around her throat, and hitting her on the head.
Following the attack, Redden reportedly informed corrections officers that he was having a bad day and expressed a desire to kill the judge. He also allegedly described Judge Holthus as having a vendetta against him, referring to her as “evil.”
Despite suffering minor injuries, Judge Holthus returned to work the next day, while a court marshal, Shane Brandon, was briefly hospitalised for a head injury, and a law clerk, Michael Lasso, received treatment for cuts on his hand.
On Monday 8 January 2024, during a subsequent court appearance, Redden, now shackled and closely monitored, received a sentence of 19 months to four years in prison for the original battery charge. The judge emphasised that the sentence remained unchanged despite the defendant’s disruptive actions during the attack: “I want to make it clear I am not changing or modifying the sentence I was in the process of imposing last week before I was interrupted by the defendant’s actions,” the judge said to the defendant, who had a mask covering his face and orange gloves on his hands.
@screenshothq Replying to @it's me🔹 The man who threw himself at a US judge as she was about to send him to prison wore a Hannibal Lecter-style mask when he appeared before her again to be sentenced on Monday. Deobra Redden was shackled, with his hands covered in restrictive mitts, and wore both a rigid mask to prevent him biting and a hood to prevent him spitting when he was produced in a Las Vegas Court. Viral video footage showed the felon hurling himself over the bench. setting off a fist-flying fight that left the judge and a marshal injured. The attack came after the judge did not grant Redden probation, and had in mind a custodial sentence for the original charge of attempted battery. #judgeattack #deobraredden #fyp #lasvegas #marykayholthus #usjudge
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Redden’s background revealed that he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, as disclosed by his foster mother and older sister. While court records indicated Redden was found competent to stand trial, his family emphasised the challenges he faced due to his mental health struggles. They expressed shock over the sudden violent episode, describing it as Redden having “snapped.”
In a plea for leniency before the attack, Redden had told the judge that he was someone who continuously aimed to do the right thing and asserted that he did not believe a prison sentence was necessary.
Despite the mental health challenges raised by Redden’s family, he is slated to appear in court again on 14 February for a preliminary hearing on the new set of charges. This incident highlights the complex intersection of mental health issues and the criminal justice system.
