Nevada Man Pleads Guilty But Mentally Ill Following Attack on Judge

A Nevada man has pleaded guilty to attacking a judge, in a shocking incident that was caught on video.

At a Glance

Deobra Redden attacked a Nevada judge by leaping over the bench.
Redden pleaded guilty but mentally ill to attempted murder and other charges.
The charges include battery of a protected person aged 60 or older, intimidating a public officer, and more.
The incident, captured on video, caused injuries to the judge and several officers.

Shocking Courtroom Incident

Deobra Redden faced serious legal repercussions after attacking Judge Mary Kay Holthus in a Nevada courtroom. The incident occurred on January 3, when Judge Holthus was about to inform Redden of his punishment. Without warning, Redden leaped over the bench, causing a violent altercation that was caught on video. The footage shows him flying over the bench and landing on the judge.

The attack resulted in multiple injuries. Judge Holthus and several officers were hurt, with an armed courtroom marshal suffering a bleeding gash and a dislocated shoulder. Out of the chaos, court officials and attorneys intervened to subdue Redden, effectively saving Judge Holthus. The video of the incident captured the intensity and danger of the moment.

Details of the Plea

Redden pleaded guilty but mentally ill to several charges including attempted murder. His plea acknowledges his responsibility in the attack while addressing his untreated mental illness, specifically schizophrenia. Charges also include battery of a protected person aged 60 or older, intimidating a public officer, battery on an officer, wilful disregard for safety, battery by a prisoner, and unlawful act related to bodily fluid.

The man who attacked a judge in Las Vegas court pleaded guilty but mentally ill to an attempted murder charge Thursday, bringing a sudden end to a trial that began this week. https://t.co/8DdYqgrOzj

— CBS4Local (@CBS4Local) September 6, 2024

Courtroom Impact

The incident has sparked significant discussion about courtroom security and mental health treatment for offenders. Before pleading guilty, Judge Holthus and a court clerk testified about the attack, describing it as violent and frightening. Holthus recounted fearing for her life and feeling defenseless until courtroom officials intervened. “I didn’t think I was going to get out of there,” she said.

Law clerk Michael Lasso testified that he saw Redden grab Holthus’ hair and believed Redden intended to kill her. “I absolutely thought, ‘He’s going to kill her,’” Lasso said during his testimony.

Redden’s defense attorney, Carl Arnold, explained that the plea acknowledges both Redden’s responsibility and his untreated mental illness. Arnold plans to request mental health treatment for Redden in prison. Redden is already serving prison time for other felony battery convictions and could face up to 86 years for his pleas to eight felonies.

Future Proceedings

Redden’s case was initially set for a jury trial, but his plea change led to the jury’s dismissal. Judge Susan Johnson ruled that Redden was competent to enter his plea, scheduling his sentencing for November 7, 2024. Prosecutor John Giordani noted that Redden admitted to correctional staff that he tried to kill Judge Holthus.