Current:Home > Contact-usDefendant leaps at Nevada judge in court, sparking brawl caught on video-LoTradeCoin
Defendant leaps at Nevada judge in court, sparking brawl caught on video
View Date:2024-12-24 21:59:23
Las Vegas — A Nevada judge was attacked Wednesday by a defendant in a felony battery case who leaped over a defense table and the judge's bench, landing atop her and sparking a bloody brawl involving court officials and attorneys, officials and witnesses said.
In a violent scene captured by courtroom video, Clark County District Judge Mary Kay Holthus fell back from her seat against a wall and suffered some injuries but was not hospitalized, courthouse officials said.
CBS Las Vegas affiliate KLAS-TV aired the video.
A courtroom marshal was also injured as he came to the judge's aid and was hospitalized for treatment of a bleeding gash on his forehead and a dislocated shoulder, according to the officials and witnesses.
The attack occurred about 11 a.m. at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas.
The defendant, Deobra Delone Redden, 30, was wrestled to the floor behind the judge's bench by several court and jail officers and courtroom staff members - including some who are seen throwing punches.
He was arrested and jailed at the Clark County Detention Center, where records showed he faces multiple new felony charges including battery on a protected person - referring to the judge and court officers.
"It happened so fast it was hard to know what to do," said Richard Scow, the chief county district attorney who prosecuted Redden on a case that stemmed from an arrest last year on allegations that Redden attacked a person with a baseball bat.
Redden's defense attorney, Caesar Almase, did not immediately respond to requests from KLAS and The Associated Press for comment.
Redden was not in custody when he arrived at court Wednesday. He wore a white shirt and dark pants as he stood next to Almase, asking the judge for leniency while describing 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," he told the judge, adding that he doesn't think he should be sent to prison. "But if it's appropriate for you then you have to do what you have to do."
As the judge made it clear she intended to put him behind bars, and the court marshal moved to handcuff him, Redden yelled expletives and charged forward - amid screams from people who had been sitting with Redden in the courtroom audience.
KLAS reports that Redden had multiple felony convictions.
Records showed that Redden, a Las Vegas resident, was evaluated and found mentally competent to stand trial before pleading guilty in November to a reduced charge of attempted battery causing substantial bodily harm. He previously served prison time in Nevada on a domestic battery conviction, state records show.
Holthus, a career prosecutor with more than 27 years of courthouse experience, was elected to the state court bench in 2018 and again in 2022.
In a statement, court spokesperson Mary Ann Price said officials were "reviewing all our protocols and will do whatever is necessary to protect the judiciary, the public and our employees."
"Thank God the judge is OK," Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said in a statement quoted by KLAS. "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."
- In:
- Las Vegas
veryGood! (749)
Related
- Jamie Lee Curtis and Don Lemon quit X, formerly Twitter: 'Time for me to leave'
- FDA signs off on updated COVID boosters. Here's what to know about the new vaccine shots for fall 2023.
- The myth of the money spider and the power of belief credited for UK woman's lottery win
- Google faces federal regulators in biggest antitrust trial in decades
- The Best Gifts for Men – That He Won’t Want to Return
- Drew Barrymore dropped as National Book Awards host after her talk show resumes during strike
- FDA signs off on updated COVID boosters. Here's what to know about the new vaccine shots for fall 2023.
- Jets QB Aaron Rodgers to miss rest of NFL season with torn Achilles, per multiple reports
- Cavaliers' Darius Garland rediscovers joy for basketball under new coach
- When do the Jewish High Holidays start? The 10-day season begins this week with Rosh Hashana
Ranking
- Ryan Reynolds Makes Dream Come True for 9-Year-Old Fan Battling Cancer
- Cyclone that devastated Libya is latest extreme event with some hallmarks of climate change
- After nearly a month, West Virginia community can use water again
- Gisele Bündchen Wears Pantless Look for Surprise Return to New York Fashion Week
- John Krasinski named People's Sexiest Man Alive for 2024
- Venice may be put on the endangered list, thanks to human-created climate change
- Jill Duggar Calls Out Dad Jim Bob for Allegedly Treating Her Worse Than “Pedophile Brother” Josh Duggar
- Wisconsin Assembly to vote on income tax cut that Evers vows to veto
Recommendation
-
After entire police force resigns in small Oklahoma town, chief blames leaders, budget cuts
-
These tech giants are at the White House today to talk about the risks of AI
-
Why Jason Kelce Says Brother Travis Kelce Is the Perfect Uncle
-
Timeline: Massive search for escaped Pennsylvania murderer
-
Texas’ 90,000 DACA recipients can sign up for Affordable Care Act coverage — for now
-
Why Japan's iconic Mt. Fuji is screaming for relief
-
Ahead of High Holidays, US Jewish leaders stress need for security vigilance as antisemitism surges
-
USWNT looks to the future while honoring past champions with first games since World Cup