A Las Vegas man, Deobra Redden, has been sentenced to serve at least 26 years behind bars for his violent attack on Clark County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus. The incident, which occurred on January 3, was captured on courtroom video and shocked many.
Redden, 31, pleaded guilty but mentally ill to attempted murder and other charges in September. Judge Holthus, 62, testified that she feared for her life when Redden leaped over her bench and assaulted her while she was preparing to deliver his sentence in a separate felony battery case.
The video footage shows Redden jumping over the bench, grabbing Judge Holthus by her hair, and knocking over an American flag in the process. Although Holthus sustained injuries, she did not require hospitalization.
Redden's defense lawyer, Carl Arnold, revealed that his client was not taking his prescribed medication for schizophrenia at the time of the attack. Arnold emphasized that Redden's guilty plea reflects a recognition of the impact of his untreated mental illness during the incident.
During the sentencing, Redden expressed remorse for his actions and stated that he did not intend to kill Judge Holthus. He acknowledged his responsibility for the regrettable incident but maintained that he is not a bad person.
As part of the sentencing, Redden was ordered to serve between 26 and 65 years in a Nevada prison. He will be eligible for parole sometime after 2050, highlighting the severity of his actions and the consequences he now faces.
