A man recorded on video jumping over a courtroom barrier to aggressively assault a judge in Nevada earlier this year has received a sentence of over twenty years in prison. On Tuesday, Judge Susan Johnson from the Eighth Judicial District Court in Clark County, Nevada, sentenced Deobra Delone Redden, 31, to a prison term of 26 to 65 years with the Nevada Department of Corrections for the assault on one of her fellow judges that occurred on January 3. The startling attack in the courtroom occurred during a sentencing hearing overseen by District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus. Redden was found guilty in Las Vegas of attempted battery, resulting in significant bodily injury. In November 2023, Redden admitted guilt to a lesser charge and was discharged from custody.
Court documents indicate that he was initially charged with a baseball bat assault with felony assault involving a deadly weapon. The January 2024 incident led to 13 additional charges being filed against Redden, which included coercion through force, intimidation of a public official, extortion, and several counts of battery against a protected individual. According to USA Today, during a September hearing, Redden pleaded guilty to charges of attempted murder, battery on a protected person, and a slew of other offenses. The court officials had previously stated that the judge was not significantly harmed.
“We commend the heroic acts of her staff, law enforcement, and all others who subdued the defendant,” District Court spokeswoman Mary Ann Price told USA TODAY after the attack. “The court remains committed to a safe and secure courthouse and courtrooms. We are reviewing all our protocols and will do whatever is necessary to protect the judiciary, the public, and our employees.” – Clark County District Attorney’s Office.
