A man who attacked a Las Vegas judge earlier this year was sentenced Tuesday to a prison term of 26-65 years. The judge described the violent courtroom incident as an attack on the entire judiciary.
Deobra Redden, 31, lunged at District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus on January 3 during a sentencing hearing for a separate case. Holthus, 62 at the time, was behind the bench when Redden jumped over the desk and attacked her. Courtroom staff, including a marshal and a law clerk, intervened and subdued Redden.
In September, Redden pleaded guilty but mentally ill to attempted murder after testimony from Judge Holthus and her clerk.
During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors pushed for a substantial prison term, while Redden’s attorney, Carl Arnold, asked for a concurrent sentence of 4-11 years to align with time Redden was already serving. Judge Susan Johnson declined the request, citing the severity of the attack.
With credit for time served, Redden will not be eligible for parole until the 2050s.
During the sentencing, Redden spoke briefly, claiming he is not “an evil person” and that he “saw nothing but red” during the attack.
The January incident stemmed from a prior case in which Redden faced charges of malicious destruction of property and attempted battery with substantial bodily harm. At the time of the attack, Holthus was sentencing him for the latter offense.
Video footage from the courtroom captured the chaotic moments of the attack, which prosecutors said underscored the danger posed by Redden. Judge Johnson emphasized that such actions threaten not only individual judges but the judicial system as a whole.
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