Man who lunged at judge in wild attack admits trying to kill blaming 'bad day'

05 January 2024 , 13:18

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Man who lunged at judge in wild attack admits trying to kill blaming 'bad day'

A criminal who dramatically 'superman' lunged at a judge in her court just before she was going to jail him has admitted he wanted to kill her, but refused to reappear in court.

The Las Vegas thug was going to be sent to prison on charges involving violence, but before Clark County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus could read out his sentence, Deobra Redden launched himself over the bench and into the air before beginning a brutal attack on her. It took multiple court and law enforcement officials several minutes to subdue Redden.

Redden’s lawyer had asked Holthus to grant parole for the three-time felon, but she said she could not allow that due to him being convicted of attempted battery with substantial bodily harm and sentenced him to jail due to his violent past and repeated arrests. Redden had rushed and flew over the stand, hauling Holthus off her seat.

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Redden flies through the air towards the judge (Clark County District Court)

Afterwards, according to KLAS, the 30-year-old convict claimed his attack was down to having a "bad day". He also admitted that he was trying to kill the judge. Prior to his attack, Holthus, 62, had told Redden she couldn't grant parole because of his violent history, saying: "I think it’s time he got a taste of something else because I just can’t with that history."

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Deobra Redden now faces a fresh round of charges over the attack

Redden managed to slam the judge's head against a wall and she received medical attention at the justice centre before a family member had to take her to hospital because she was still in pain. She later told police that Redden was "big, strong and angry" and Clark County Chief Judge Jerry Wiese said on Thursday the victim was "sore and stiff but is thankful that this was not more severe".

Judge Mary Kay Holthus

Redden told officers, after they got him under control and detained him: "Judge has it out for me. Judge is evil." He apologised to them for the attack, saying: "I’m sorry you guys had to see that." He then asked another officer if what he did was wrong, but had also, at the time, allegedly spat in a corrections officer’s face.

Judge Mary Kay Holthus was about to sentence Redden when the attack happened (Clark County District Court)

His attack resulted in Holthus’ marshall, Shane Brandon, suffering a gash on his face which required 25 stitches while law clerk Michael Lasso- suffered several minor cuts on his hand. Wiese said Redden’s attack was a rare occurrence in a courtroom. He said: "This is a very unique situation, that as far as I know never happened before, with somebody Supermanning over a judicial bench."

Redden was being sentenced in a case dating back to April 2023 where he threatened "to bust the kneecaps" of another man, which ended up with serious injuries. He was ordered to undergo a competency test in May when he was committed to a state behavioural facility before being ruled competent enough to stand trial in October.

The judge was left battered by the attack and had to attend hospital

According to court papers, Redden now faces six new charges, including coercion with force or threat of force, extortion, intimidate public officers/others with the use of force, disregard of the safety of person/property, battery by prisoner, probationer, or parolee, as well as seven charges of battery on a protected person.

And he must also again face his latest victim, with an appearance before Holthus on January 8 for the initial sentencing hearing. But he failed to arrive for his initial court appearance for the latest charges, and will now be in court the next day in front of Judge Diana Sullivan. In 2021, Redden served time in prison for a domestic battery charge after being sentenced to 12-30 months, but a board granted him parole in 2022.

Paul Donald