Las Vegas Man Who Attacked Judge Faces Attempted Murder Charge

Posted on: February 13, 2024, 09:15h. 

Last updated on: February 13, 2024, 11:41h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More
Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

The man who jumped over a judicial bench to assault a Las Vegas judge last month will appear in court on Wednesday for attempted murder and other new counts.

Deobra Redden
Deobra Redden, pictured above, was indicted for attempted murder after attacking a Las Vegas judge. (Image: AP)

Deobra Redden, 30, was indicted last week by a Clark County grand jury on nine charges for January’s violent outburst in the courtroom.

They include:

  • Attempted murder
  • Battery on an officer resulting in substantial bodily harm
  • Battery on a protected person resulting in substantial bodily harm
  • Battery on a protected person
  • Battery by prisoner
  • Extortion by threat
  • Intimidating a public officer
  • Performance of act or neglect of duty in willful or wanton disregard of safety of persons or property resulting in substantial bodily harm or death
  • An unlawful act related to human excrement or bodily fluid

Grand jury members returned the indictment on Thursday after reviewing evidence showing Redden assaulting Judge Mary Kay Holthus at the Regional Justice Center on January 3.

She was sentencing him to prison for an earlier attempted battery incident.

Indictment Details Violence

Furious he wasn’t getting probation, Redden hurled obscenities, tackled the judge, pulled her hair, grabbed her throat, and repeatedly punched her, according to the indictment. Courtroom staff pulled Redden away and subdued him.

The judge suffered painful injuries and was later taken to a local hospital for treatment. A courtroom marshal, Shane Brandon, suffered a dislocated shoulder and a cut on his face after struggling with Redden. He also required hospitalization.

A clerk for the judge, Michael Lasso, 27, who hurled punches at Redden, suffered cuts on his hand.

Video of Redden’s attack on the judge was posted on social media sites and was widely viewed.

Holthus has already sentenced Redden to between 19 and 48 months for the 2023 charge. If convicted on these new charges, he could face many additional years in prison.

When he appears in court on Wednesday, Redden will face a different judge, Diana Sullivan.

Redden suffers from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, his relatives told Las Vegas TV station KTNV. But he was previously ruled to be competent to stand trial on criminal charges.

Family Defends Redden

Redden’s relatives told Las Vegas TV station KVVU last month that his actions against the judge weren’t premeditated.

“It was triggered because he seemed to have been pleading for his freedom,” Ladonna Daniels, Redden’s sister, said. “I don’t think sending him to prison is going to deter anybody who suffers from a mental illness — they need to be surrounded by health care professionals,” Daniels added.