A convict in Las Vegas physically assaulted a judge while he was being sentenced in court this week. Deobra Delone Redden, who suffered from a history of violence with numerous felony charges and a third-offense domestic battery conviction, attacked District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus while attempting to sentence him for one count of attempted battery causing substantial bodily harm. After this incident, Redden refused to attend a hearing on his new charges including coercion with force, intimidation of a public officer, extortion, and multiple counts of battery on a protected person. Despite the violent attack, Judge Holthus suffered only minor injuries, and the assailant remains jailed without bond.
The events that unfolded during the courtroom attack appeared to mirror Redden’s criminal and violent history. The defendant, shackled and accompanied by his attorney, declared that he would never stop trying to do the right thing, but Judge Holthus stated that she “just can’t with that history.” Following this, Redden exclaimed an expletive and lunged towards the judge, dragging her to the floor and leaving her with minor injuries. Redden’s aggression led to his subsequent arrest and facing numerous serious charges, underscoring the need to address aggressive courtroom behavior and the importance of security personnel during sentencing hearings. The judiciary and authorities must continue to address issues of courtroom security and to protect all parties involved in legal proceedings, ensuring that such violent behavior is deterred and met with the appropriate legal response.
