The defendant involved in the shocking courtroom incident, captured on video, where he leaped over a judge’s bench and attacked her, is scheduled to appear before her again on Monday morning. During his previous appearance on January 3 before Clark County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus, Deobra Redden, facing a felony battery charge for a baseball bat attack last year, sought leniency by claiming he was turning his life around.
However, when it became evident that Judge Holthus was inclined to sentence him to prison, and as the court marshal moved to take him into custody, Redden erupted with expletives and charged forward. Chaos ensued as he vaulted a defense table, leaped over the judge’s bench, and landed on top of Holthus. The courtroom audience, including his foster mother, reacted with screams.
The video captured the unsettling moment when the judge fell back against a wall, with an American flag toppling on them during the violent altercation. The defendant will now face the same judge once again as the legal proceedings continue.
During the courtroom incident, Redden “supermanned over the judicial bench,” described Jerry Wiese, the court’s chief judge, recounting the defendant’s leap to reach Judge Holthus. Redden, who had grabbed the judge’s hair, had to be forcibly removed by her clerk, Michael Lasso, along with several court and jail officers, some of whom engaged in physical altercations. Lasso sustained cuts on his hands, and a marshal was hospitalized for a dislocated shoulder and a forehead gash. Although Holthus suffered some injuries, she returned to work the next day.
Wiese credited Lasso for his quick response, stating that he was the “primary person” responsible for pulling Redden off the judge, potentially preventing more severe injuries.
Redden’s defense attorney, Caesar Almase, declined to comment on the incident. Following the attack, Redden was jailed on $54,000 bail but refused to appear in court the next day on new charges, resulting in a rescheduled appearance for the following Tuesday. The charges included extortion, coercion with force, and battery on a protected person, referring to the judge and the officers who assisted her.
At the upcoming appearance, Judge Holthus is expected to continue sentencing in Redden’s other case related to the baseball bat attack. Initially charged with assault, Redden reached a plea deal in November, pleading guilty to a reduced charge of attempted battery resulting in substantial injuries.
Redden, 30, has a criminal record predominantly marked by violent offenses, with prior convictions for three felonies and nine misdemeanors, according to District Attorney Steve Wolfson. Describing Redden as consistently violent throughout his adult life, Wolfson highlighted the serious nature of his criminal history.
During Wednesday’s court appearance, Redden, who was not shackled or in jail attire at the time of the attack, tried to convince the judge that he is not a rebellious person and expressed his belief that prison might not be appropriate for him.
