Las Vegas, Nevada – A 30-year old felon who violently attacked a judge in a Las Vegas courtroom last week has now been charged with attempted murder. Deobra Redden was in court to be sentenced for a felony battery charge when he leaped over the defense table and the judge’s bench, landing on top of District Judge Mary Kay Holthus. A criminal complaint obtained by CNN revealed that Redden faces new charges of attempted murder, as well as counts of battery on a protected person, extortion, and intimidating a public officer. The charges also include allegations of fighting with a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officer, a clerk, and a marshal, as well as spitting on an officer.
The violent attack, caught on camera, showed Redden grabbing the judge, pulling her hair, placing his hands around her throat, and hitting her on the head. Following the attack, he allegedly told corrections officers that he wanted to kill the judge and claimed that she had it out for him and was evil. The judge sustained minor injuries, and a court marshal and a law clerk were also injured. Redden was sentenced to 19 months to four years in prison for the original charge of felony battery.
Redden’s foster mother and older sister have stated that he has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and they believe that sending him to prison will not help. He is scheduled to appear in court on 14 February.