A crazy video out of Las Vegas shows a three-time felon jumping over the judicial bench during a sentencing hearing and attacking the federal judge. That prompted a brawl between the felon and court officials that left the judge injured and a marshal hospitalized.
As background, the sentencing hearing in which the shocking incident occurred was for defendant Deobra Redden, who was to be sentenced on a charge of attempted battery with substantial bodily harm by the Clark County Courts system.
During the hearing, Redden and his attorney were asking the judge, US District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus, for probation rather than jail time. Their argument was that 30-year-old Redden was managing to get his life on track with a new job and resumption in education, and that Redden was “trying to learn from [his] mistakes.”
Judge Holthus wasn’t having it, obviously not believing that Mr. Redden, a three-time felon, had changed. Making her point, Judge Holthus read off Redden’s criminal history, which she noted included “three felonies … misdemeanors, multiple DVs (domestic violence) … robberies, attempted home invasion.” Speaking to Redden after reading off that criminal history, Judge Holthus said, “You’ve got a lot going on, sir.”
Responding to the judge’s pointed remarks about Redden’s criminal history, Mr. Redden’s attorney said that he thought Mr. Redden could manage to complete probation successfully. But Judge Holthus didn’t buy that claim, saying, “I appreciate that, but I think it’s time that he get a taste of something else because – I just can’t, with that history.”
That’s when Redden’s caught-on-tape assault began. Proving Judge Holthus’s point about his unchanged nature correct, Redden shouted, “F**k that b*tch!” and raced toward Judge Holthus. He leaped over the bench and attacked her, tackling her to the ground and knocking over the flags behind her chair and the bench.
The marshals and court officials rushed to help Judge Holthus as Redden screamed, “F**k you both!” and threw punches directed at the various parties involved in the courtroom brawl. Judge Holthus stayed on the ground for several minutes after the assault, finally standing up and saying that she had hit her head during the attack. Watch it here:
In a statement on the attack, court information officer Mary Anne Price said, “We commend the heroic acts of her staff, law enforcement, and all others who subdued the defendant. The court remains committed to a safe and secure courthouse and courtrooms. We are reviewing all our protocols and will do whatever is necessary to protect the judiciary, the public and our employees.”
The statement from the court also noted that Judge Holthus had been injured during Redden’s sudden and vicious assault on her, saying that “Judge Holthus experienced some injuries and her condition is being monitored.”
Thanks to the attack, Redden now faces not just the jail time for the assault for which he was appearing before Judge Holthus, but has also been charged with three counts of battery on a protected person and battery stemming from the assault.
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video
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