LAS VEGAS, NV — Deobra Redden, 31, has been sentenced to between 26 and 65 years in prison for a violent attack on Clark County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus during a sentencing hearing. The incident happened in January.
Redden was at a sentencing hearing for attempted battery when he suddenly launched himself over the bench and landed on Judge Holthus. The attack was captured on courtroom cameras, showing Redden in a 'superman' leap, initiating a chaotic brawl that required the intervention of multiple court and law enforcement officials to subdue him.
Judge Mary Kay Holthus described the assault as "an assault on the entire judiciary," emphasizing the severity of the act not just against her personal safety but against the the legal system. Despite Redden's plea of guilty but mentally ill, which was acknowledged during his trial for attempted murder, the court did not shy away from imposing an appropriate sentence.
The courtroom assault left several individuals injured, including Judge Holthus and a court marshal who sustained significant injuries requiring hospital treatment. The incident prompted a reevaluation of security protocols within the Las Vegas courthouses, with officials promising to enhance measures to protect judicial staff and ensure courtroom safety.
Redden has a history of violent offenses and faced not only sentencing for the January attack but also for other charges stemming from that day, including intimidation of a public officer and battery on a protected person. His defense argued his actions were influenced by untreated schizophrenia, but the court found this insufficient to mitigate the sentence.
Judge Holthus, who returned to work shortly after the incident, has been praised for her resilience and commitment to her judicial duties despite the personal threat she faced. The sentencing serves not only as punishment for Redden but as a stark reminder of the dangers judges can encounter in the line of duty.
Redden will be eligible for parole in 2050.
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