(CMR) A Las Vegas judge was attacked Wednesday by a convict in a felony battery case who leaped over a defense table and the judge's bench, landing atop her during a sentencing hearing.
The attack, which was captured by courtroom video, resulted in a bloody brawl involving court officials and attorneys at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas.
Clark County District Judge Mary Kay Holthus fell back from her seat against a wall and suffered some injuries but was not hospitalized, according to ABC News.
Deobra Delone Redden (30) was wrestled to the floor behind the judge's bench by several court and jail officers and courtroom staff members, some of whom are seen throwing punches.
A courtroom marshal was also injured as he came to the judge’s aid and was reportedly hospitalized for treatment of a bleeding gash on his forehead and a dislocated shoulder.
“It happened so fast it was hard to know what to do,” said Richard Scow, the chief county district attorney who prosecuted Redden on a case that stemmed from an arrest last year on allegations that Redden attacked a person with a baseball bat.
Redden was not in custody when he arrived at court Wednesday. He was given a chance to speak before the judge would sentence him,
“I'm not a rebellious person,” he told the judge, adding that he doesn't 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 said.
As the judge made it clear she intended to put him behind bars, and the court marshal moved to handcuff him, Redden yelled expletives and charged forward attacking her.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid