Man who attacked Las Vegas judge: A violent attack and its aftermath
In a shocking turn of events, man who attacked Las Vegas judge is set to face a bevy of additional charges next week.
Deobra Delone Redden, 30 years old, was being sentenced for a recent battery charge when he violently attacked District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus. Despite being scheduled to appear in court on Thursday to face the new charges, Redden declined to attend, leading to the rescheduling of his hearing to the following Monday.
Jan 8, 2024 Update: Redden was sentenced to 19-48 months in prison on previous attempted battery charges. Redden will still face new charges for his attack.
Suspect Background
Redden, who had pleaded guilty to the reduced charges in November, was initially linked to a felony assault with a deadly weapon, namely a baseball bat.
This is not his first brush with the law; Redden has a history of run-ins with the legal system, as evidenced by his 2021 prison stint following a third-offense domestic battery conviction.
He was also facing another charge of malicious destruction of property, for which Holthus had granted him probation.
New Video Evidence Comes to Light
The incident unfolded while Judge Holthus was in the process of sentencing Redden for the crime of attempted battery leading to substantial bodily harm. A new video obtained by 8 News Now offers a different perspective on the attack.
As Judge Holthus suggested that he needed a change in circumstances given his troubling history, Redden responded with violence. This footage reveals that just prior to the assault, Redden jumped over a table and charged at Judge Holthus’ bench, apparently in response to seeing the judge’s bailiff, Shane Brandon, preparing to handcuff him.
He dashed towards the judge, hurling himself over the bench and dragging her to the ground by her hair. Several individuals in the courtroom, including a court clerk, had to intervene to pull Redden off the judge.
Effects Of The Attack
The violent encounter left Judge Holthus with minor injuries. Meanwhile, the courtroom deputy suffered more severe wounds, including a dislocated shoulder and a gash to his head.
Judge Holthus has been a seasoned legal professional and elected official since 2018. She has dedicated over 27 years of her career to the district attorney’s office. This includes a 16-year tenure as a prosecutor in the special victims’ unit.
Aftermath And Next Steps
Redden, the man who attacked Las Vegas judge, now faces 13 new charges. These include coercion with force, intimidation of a public officer, extortion, and several counts of battery on a protected person.
Furthermore, Redden was detained in a nearby cell. While there, he reportedly expressed remorse for his actions and suggested that the judge was biased against him.
The Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney’s Office are investigating the incident and reviewing the security protocols in the courthouse. The Nevada Supreme Court also issued a statement condemning the attack and expressing support for Holthus and her staff.