Devendra Kumar
A 30-year-old man, Deobra Redden, has been formally charged with attempted murder after he attacked a Nevada judge during a sentencing hearing in Las Vegas last month. The incident occurred on January 3, when Redden lunged over the bench at Clark County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus as she was about to deliver his sentence in an attempted battery case. The courtroom was equipped with cameras that captured the incident, which quickly went viral.
According to the indictment, Redden attacked Holthus by grabbing her, pulling her hair, placing his hands around her throat, and/or hitting her on the head. The exact nature of the attack is not specified in the indictment. Redden is also accused of punching and/or kicking and/or pushing a Las Vegas police officer who was present in the courtroom.
Redden’s defense team has not yet commented on the new indictment, but his foster mother and older sister have previously spoken out about his mental health, stating that he has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Court records, however, show that he was found competent to stand trial. Redden’s adult criminal history includes convictions for three serious offenses and nine misdemeanors, mostly involving violent acts, according to Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson. The attack on Judge Holthus was the latest in a long history of violent behavior for Redden.
Despite being diagnosed with a mental health disorder, Redden’s lawyers have not raised any objections to his competence to stand trial. The attack was frightening and erratic, and it’s a wonder that no one was seriously injured. The incident has sent shockwaves through the legal system and is likely to be closely watched. Redden’s new indictment reflects the seriousness of his actions and the potential consequences he faces. His trial is likely to be intensely prosecuted, and it will be interesting to see how he is convicted for this heinous crime.