Emily Brown
Shocking footage caught in a Nevada courtroom shows the moment a convicted felon leapt over the bench to attack the judge sentencing him.
The disturbing incident took place at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas on Wednesday (3 January), where defendant Deobra Delone Redden faced Clark County District Judge Mary Kay Holthus.
Warning: Distressing Footage:
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Redden, who had previously served prison time in Nevada on a domestic battery conviction, pleaded guilty in November to a reduced charge of attempted battery causing substantial bodily harm.
He was not being held in custody when he arrived in court on Wednesday, and asked the judge for leniency when he appeared in court.
Redden described himself as a 'person who never stops trying to do the right thing no matter how hard it is'.
“I'm not a rebellious person,” Redden said, expressing belief he should not be sent to prison, "but if it's appropriate for you then you have to do what you have to do."
Redden's attorney asked Holthus to sentence the defendant to probation, but the judge declined the request due to Redden's previous offences.
“I think it’s time he got a taste of something else because I just can’t with that history,” she said.
As Holthus made clear that she intended to put Redden behind bars for the charge, the defendant charged towards the bench and threw himself over it towards Holthus.
The defendant landed on top of the judge, who had attempted to move out of the way, before court officials and officers joined in the brawl to try and restrain Redden.
The defendant was then arrested and jailed at the Clark County Detention Center. He is now facing multiple new felony charges including battery on a protected person.
Courthouse officials stated that Holthus suffered some injuries as she fell back against the wall, but she was not hospitalized.
A courtroom marshal was taken to hospital for treatment after he suffered a gash on his forehead and a dislocated shoulder.
Chief county district attorney Richard Scow said the attack 'happened so fast', adding: "It was hard to know what to do."
Steve Wolfson, Clark County District Attorney, said: “Thank God the judge is okay. 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."
Court spokesperson Mary Ann Price has said officials are 'reviewing all our protocols and will do whatever is necessary to protect the judiciary, the public and our employees'.
UNILAD has reached out to the Regional Justice Center for comment.