Mental Health Defendant Jumps Bench and Attacks a Las Vegas Judge After Probation is Denied were

Las Vegas Review-Journal

During a court hearing, 30-year-old Deobra Delone Redden attacked Las Vegas Judge Mary Kay Holthus after she refused to give him probation instead of a jail sentence. He and his attorney tried to convince the court that he was capable of completing probation. His lawyer told the court that Redden's foster mother would provide him a place to stay, and he planned to work on his GED if he stayed out. The defendant reportedly suffers from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, according to KTNV. He shared his mental health state with the court, he said, "I have mental health problems." "I'm a person that never stops trying to do the right thing even if it's hard, and I did the best I could." Redden also explained to the judge that he has a support system and recently got a job, making $20.00 per hour. However, Judge Holthus was not convinced to leave him on the streets.

The judge mentioned Redden's criminal history— several domestic violence charges and robbery charges, as the reason she wasn't comfortable with granting him probation. As soon as she gave her rebuttal to his attorney's statements, stating, "I appreciate that, but I think it's time that he get a taste of something else because I just can't with that history," the defendant shouted profanity, then leaped over the bench, attacking her, requiring several people to stop the attack. 

Thankfully, Judge Holthus didn't suffer severe injuries. However, according to the Daily Star, "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." Redden was arrested and jailed. He faces multiple new felony charges, including battery on a protected person — referring to the judge and court officers, per the Daily Star. According to The Las Vegas Review-Journal, "The last time Redden was accused of attacking an officer was in February 2016. The officer wrote in an arrest report that he was investigating a reported burglary at a Walmart when he stopped a car with Redden in the back seat."

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