Deobra Redden, a 31-year-old man standing trial on a charge of attempted murder after attacking District Judge Mary Kay Holthus in a Las Vegas courtroom, made headlines for his violent outburst during a sentencing hearing. The incident, captured in a viral video, showed Redden leaping across the courtroom and launching himself at the judge, pulling her hair and hitting her on the head. His defense attorney, Carl Arnold, revealed during opening statements that Redden had been unmedicated for two months at the time of the attack.
Intent Questioned
Arnold emphasized the importance of determining Redden’s intent during the attack, stating, “You always have to go back to intent, that is going to be the big question that you guys are going to have to deal with.” Despite the violent nature of the assault, Arnold argued that Redden did not have the intention to kill Judge Holthus. Redden pleaded guilty to six additional charges related to the incident, including assaulting a corrections officer after being arrested.
Prosecution Allegations
Chief Deputy District Attorney Elizabeth Mercer presented a different perspective, alleging that Redden had expressed homicidal intentions towards Judge Holthus. Mercer recounted an incident where Redden told corrections officers during a strip search, “Sorry I’m moving so slow, I’m kind of sore today, I tried to kill a judge.” She also highlighted Redden’s reported “homicidal ideations” towards the judge while being processed at the detention center.
Heroic Intervention
Mercer commended the bravery of the six men, including a corrections officer, two marshals, two prosecutors, and a clerk, who intervened to pull Redden off Judge Holthus during the attack. She displayed a viral video of the incident to the jury, showcasing the chaotic scene as Redden launched himself at the judge and engaged in a struggle with the intervening men. Mercer emphasized that Judge Holthus owed her safety to the swift action of these individuals.
Defense Argument
During his opening statements, Arnold contended that Redden did not have sufficient time to form the intent to kill Judge Holthus during the attack. He disputed allegations that Redden had touched the judge’s throat and emphasized that she did not sustain any serious injuries from the assault. Arnold also mentioned that Redden’s prior conviction for attempted battery stemmed from an incident where he swung a baseball bat at his brother-in-law.
Medication and Mental Health
Arnold revealed that Redden had been without medication for about two months leading up to the attack on Judge Holthus, attributing his behavior to the lack of proper treatment. He acknowledged that Redden had a history of mental health issues and had undergone competency treatment following a previous arrest. Arnold assured the jury that Redden was now back on medication and under control.
Previous Convictions
Court records revealed that Redden had prior convictions for various offenses, including malicious destruction of property, battery, battery constituting domestic violence, battery with substantial bodily harm, and theft. Despite his history of legal troubles, Arnold stated that he was no longer pursuing a defense of not guilty by reason of insanity due to the high burden of proof associated with that argument.
Trial Continues
The trial is set to resume on Thursday afternoon, with prosecutors expected to call witnesses to testify. Judge Holthus, who sentenced Redden to prison for the attempted battery charge shortly after the attack, has remained in custody since the incident. Arnold expressed confidence in his client’s current state of medication and urged the jury to consider the circumstances surrounding Redden’s mental health at the time of the attack.
Conclusion
The trial of Deobra Redden, the man accused of attacking Judge Mary Kay Holthus in a Las Vegas courtroom, has sparked discussions surrounding mental health, medication, and the intent behind the violent assault. As the legal proceedings unfold, both the defense and prosecution present contrasting narratives about Redden’s actions and state of mind during the attack. The involvement of multiple individuals in restraining Redden highlights the importance of swift intervention in preventing further harm. As the trial progresses, the jury faces the challenging task of weighing the evidence presented and reaching a verdict in this high-profile case.