Las Vegas Judge Attacked By Felon During Sentencing

2024 got off to a bizarre start in a Las Vegas courtroom this week. A judge was attacked by a felon while he was being sentenced.

8 News Now reported on Wednesday (Jan. 3) that Clark County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus was in the midst of telling 30-year-old Deobra Redden what his punishment for attempted battery with substantial bodily harm was going to be. His attorney requested that he simply be put on probation, and Holthus replied, “I think it’s time he get a taste of something else. I just can’t with that history.”

That comment seemingly set Redden off, as he screamed, “Nah, f**k that, bi**h.” He then ran towards her seat and jumped over the podium in an attempt to attack her before he was was quickly restrained by men in the courtroom. Redden then began to attack the multiple men who were holding him back and then retaliated with their own punches. Check out the video below.

Reportedly, Clark County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus hit her head but is said to be doing fine. One of the court marshals was also injured. “Thank God the judge is okay,” Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said in a statement after the incident. “Thank God for the heroic efforts of those who came to her aid, especially her marshal and her law clerk. Without them, the situation would have been much worse as this defendant exhibited extremely violent behavior and I’m confident there will be consequences.”

Holthus and Deobra Redden reportedly have history as the latter appeared before the former for his malicious destruction of property charge. Notably, Holthus was not the judge who ordered him to serve a stint in prison.

Redden’s latest attempted battery charge stemmed from an incident in April where he threatened to “bust the kneecaps” of another man. He served time in a behaviorial facility before being deemed competent. However, he missed a court appearance in November despite pleading guilty, thus Holthus issued a warrant for his arrest the following month.