Defendant who leapt at Las Vegas judge faces seven new charges

A defendant who launched an astonishing attack on a judge in Las Vegas before becoming embroiled in a mass brawl with staff is facing seven new charges.

Deobra Delone Redden, 30, was wrestled to the floor by several court and jail officers and courtroom staff members after he leapt over a court bench and landed on top of Clark County District Judge Mary Kay Holthus.

She had just made it clear she intended to put him behind bars over a previous attempted assault.

As the court officer moved to handcuff him, Redden yelled expletives, charged forward and leapt over the judge’s bench.

During the incident on Wednesday, Judge Holthus fell back from her seat against a wall and suffered some injuries, but was not hospitalised.

She returned to work on Thursday and Redden will face her again on Monday morning for his rescheduled sentencing, according to Chief Judge Jerry Wiese.

Redden was jailed on $54,000 bail in connection with the attack but refused to return to court on Thursday on the new charges.

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Records show that he now faces 13 charges in total, including extortion and coercion with force.

Seven of the new counts are battery on a protected person, referring to the judge and officers who came to her aid.

At a news conference, Judge Wiese shared a statement from Judge Holthus.

“She wanted me to thank all of the well-wishers and others who have expressed concern for her and her staff,” he said.

“She is extremely grateful for those who took brave action during the attack.”

Redden had to be wrestled off the judge by her law clerk, Michael Lasso, and several court and jail officers – including some who were seen throwing punches.

One court official was taken to hospital for treatment after sustaining a gash on his forehead and a dislocated shoulder, according to officials and witnesses.

Judge Wiese credited Lasso for his quick action, saying he was the “primary person” who pulled the defendant off the judge “and probably kept her from having more severe injuries”.

Redden was initially in court over allegations he attacked a person with a baseball bat last year.

Shortly before the courtroom attack, Redden had asked the judge for leniency in her sentencing, describing himself as “a person who never stops trying to do the right thing, no matter how hard it is”.

“I’m not a rebellious person,” he told the judge, later adding that he did not think he should be sent to prison.

“But if it’s appropriate for you, then you have to do what you have to do,” he added.

Redden’s defence lawyer, Caesar Almase, has declined to comment since the incident.

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