Man Who Jumped Over Desk, Attacked Judge Is Sentenced

UPDATE Dec 11, 2024 2:00 AM CST

The man who jumped over a judge's 4-foot-high bench to attack her in a Las Vegas courtroom in January was on Tuesday sentenced to between 26 and 65 years behind bars, 8 News Now reports. The judge was sentencing Deobra Redden, 31, in a separate battery case when the attack occurred. At his Tuesday sentencing, Redden said, "I'm not a bad person, I'm not an evil guy. I'm not making excuses for my actions, but I'm saying I'm not a bad person and I know that I did not intend to kill Mary Kay Holthus, I know I cared about her wellbeing." He pleaded guilty but mentally ill to charges of attempted murder in the attack, CNN reports.

Feb 13, 2024 3:00 AM CST

A man who attacked a judge in a Las Vegas courtroom last month has been charged with attempted murder. A grand jury indicted Deobra Redden, 30, on nine new counts. Among other things, he is accused of wrapping his hands around the throat of Judge Mary Kay Holthus and striking her head, reports the Washington Post. A courtroom marshal also suffered injuries in the melee. Redden faces 20 years in prison if convicted.

In early January, Holthus was about to sentence Redden in a battery case when he leaped over a judicial bench to reach her, per KSNV. Others in the courtroom scrambled to rescue her, and video of the incident went viral. Redden's family say he suffers from schizophrenia and was not on his medication when the assault occurred, reports Fox5Vegas. (More Las Vegas stories.)