Nevada judge attacked by defendant in viral court video finishes sentencing him
LAS VEGAS — A man who leaped over a judicial bench and attacked a Nevada judge on video last week was shackled and closely watched Monday as he appeared before the same judge and was sentenced to up to four years in state prison.
The punishment was handed down in connection with an attempted battery charge dating to last year that the defendant pleaded guilty to in November and was in court to be sentenced for on Jan. 3 when he rushed the judge. “I want to make it clear I am not changing or modifying the sentence I was in the process of imposing last week before I was interrupted by the defendant’s actions,” Clark County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus said as Deobra Delone Redden stood in shackles before her.
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While the sentence could last up to four years, Redden could be paroled in 19 months, depending on his behavior in prison and decisions made by a parole board.
Redden, 30, had been telling Holthus on Wednesday that he was “in a better place” mentally and didn’t think he should be sent to prison. But when the judge made it clear she was going to have him locked up, he vaulted the defense table and dove over the judge’s bench, landing atop Holthus. Video showed her fall back against a wall and an American flag toppling forward onto the bench.
Holthus suffered some injuries but was back to work the next day.
Redden had to be wrestled off the judge by several court officers, jail security and courtroom staff members, including some who were seen on video throwing punches.
