Man who 'Superman' lunged at judge sentenced in unrelated case

08 January 2024 , 19:35

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Man who 'Superman' lunged at judge sentenced in unrelated case

A man who "Superman" lunged over the bench of a Las Vegas courtroom before carrying out a brutal attack on the judge sentencing him has been sentenced in an unrelated case.

30-year-old Deobra Redden carried out the vicious attack on Wednesday as he was about sentenced by Clark County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus for a charge of attempted battery with substantial bodily harm. The three-time felon was caught on video "Supermanning" over the judge's bench before launching his attack.

Today, Redden stood in the same court in shackles with a mask over his face and orange mitts on his hand, flanked by a group of jail officers as he was sentenced. The sentence handed down today was in connection with an attack on a person involving a baseball bat last year.

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Deobra Redden 'Supermanned' himself over the judge's bench (AP)

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It was reported earlier that Redden was scheduled to appear before Judge Holthus again for today's sentencing in relation to his other case, involving a baseball bat attack. Redden was charged initially with assault but reached a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty in November to a reduced charge of attempted battery resulting in substantial injuries. Today, he was sentenced to up to four years in prison in relation to that case.

Multiple court and law enforcement officials spent several minutes attempting to subdue Redden, who had rushed to his feet and flew over the stand, hauling Judge Holthus off her seat. During the attack, he slammed the judge's head against a wall and inflicted injuries on other court officials.

Redden slammed Judge Holthus' head against the wall during the attack

Judge Holthus' marshall, Shane Brandon, required 25 stitches after receiving a gash on his face while law clerk Michael Lasso suffered several minor cuts on his hand. Judge Holthus received medical attention at the justice centre with a family member later taking her to hospital as she was still in pain.

She later described Redden to police as "big, strong and angry". Clark County Chief Judge Jerry Wiese provided an update on Thursday saying his colleague was "sore and stiff but is thankful that this was not more severe".

Following the attack, Redden claimed he lunged for the judge as he was having a "bad day". He also admitted that he was attempting to kill the judge, who was about to hand down his sentence. Prior to the attack Judge Holthus, 62, had told Redden she couldn't grant him parole due to his violent history.

Redden was about to be sentenced when he launched himself over the bench

In his appearance on Wednesday, Redden attempted to convince the judge he was turning around his behaviour after a violent past. He asked for leniency while describing himself as "a person who never stops trying to do the right thing no matter how hard it is."

After restraining the defendant, he told officers: "Judge has it out for me. Judge is evil". He then apologised for the brutal attack, and even asked another officer if what he did was wrong, though he had also at the time allegedly spat in a corrections officer's face.

Judge Weise spoke of the attack, saying it was a very rare occurrence in the 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".

Court officials rushed to Judge Holthus' aid (Clark County District Court)

Following the attack, he was jailed on a $54,000 bail but refused to return to court the next day on the new charges, so a judge rescheduled his next appearance in that case for Tuesday.

According to court records, Redden faces charges including extortion, coercion with force and battery on a protected person, referring to the judge and officers who came to her aid. Judge Weise credited staff in the courtroom for their quick actions, particularly Mr Lasso. He said Mr Lasso was the "primary person" who pulled Redden off Judge Holthus, and that his actions "probably kept her from having more severe injuries."

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Redden’s criminal record is marked by mostly violent offences and includes prior convictions for three felonies and nine misdemeanours, District Attorney Steve Wolfson said. Adding: "He's been violent his entire adult life."

Fiona Leishman