Deobra Redden, 31, pleaded guilty before his trial began to six charges, but he initially denied the charge of attempted murder against a person aged 60 or older, as reported by the Las Vegas Review Journal. However, on Thursday, Redden changed his plea to guilty but mentally ill for all charges.
The charges include battery of a protected person aged 60 or older causing serious injury, intimidating a public officer, battery on an officer causing serious injury, reckless disregard for safety causing injury, battery by a prisoner, and unlawful acts involving bodily fluids.
Redden’s plea could impact the type of prison facility and mental health treatment he receives.
On January 3, Judge Mary Kay Holthus was about to sentence Redden in Clark County District Court when chaos erupted after Redden was denied bond.
In a video, Redden’s lawyer asked the judge for probation, but Holthus replied, I think it’s time he got a taste of something else. At that moment, Redden leaped over the bench and attacked the judge.
Redden grabbed the judge’s hair and was pulled off her by her clerk, Michael Lasso, along with several court and jail officers. Lasso received cuts on his hands, and a marshal was hospitalized with a dislocated shoulder and a head injury. Judge Holthus had some injuries but returned to work the next day.
Before Redden changed his plea, both Judge Holthus and Lasso testified in court. Holthus described her usual process of reviewing cases and sentencing but became emotional after seeing the video of the attack.
She shared that the attack left her with headaches, stiffness, and soreness. She also explained that Redden hit her so hard that she was nearly knocked out of her chair and shoes, adding that the violent attack was frightening.
Originally, Redden’s case was set for a jury trial, but after his plea change, the jury was dismissed. He is scheduled to return to court on November 7, 2024.
Redden has a history of violent crimes, including three felonies and nine misdemeanors. He previously served prison time for domestic battery, according to the District Attorney.