A felon who attacked a judge in a Las Vegas courtroom earlier this week has revealed why he did it.
The scary incident occurred during the sentencing of the three-time felon, Debora Redden, who had been convicted of attempted battery with substantial bodily harm. Watch the horrifying moment unfold below:
Clark County District Judge Mary Kay Holthus, who was presiding over the case, had been urged by Redden's attorney to grant parole for the defendant. However, considering Redden's history of violence and multiple arrests, she sentenced him to jail instead.
"I think it's time he got a taste of something else because I just can't with that history," Judge Holthus told the courtroom.
However, as Judge Holthus attempted to read the prison sentence, Redden suddenly rushed and leaped over the courtroom stand, knocking the judge off her seat. It took several court and law enforcement officials several minutes to subdue Redden, who was eventually pulled away from the courtroom.
As reported by the New York Post, court documents state that Redden later explained that he had a "bad day" and claimed he was trying to kill Judge Holthus. The court docs revealed that he allegedly referred to the judge as "evil" - but did express remorse to the officers for his outburst, apologizing for his actions.
While still inside the courthouse, Redden allegedly spat in a corrections officer's face. During the altercation, Judge Holthus had her head slammed against the wall, and she later received medical attention for her injuries.
Marshal Shane Brandon, who works with Judge Holthus, also suffered a gash on his face requiring 25 stitches. Law clerk Michael Lasso sustained minor hand abrasions during the incident.
Wiese noted that Redden's attack was a rare and unique occurrence inside a courthouse, emphasizing that courthouses are intended to be safe environments.
Redden's sentencing stemmed from an April 2023 incident in which he threatened to harm another individual, resulting in substantial bodily harm. Following this incident, he was ordered to undergo a competency test and was committed to a state behavioral facility before being deemed competent to stand trial in October.
Redden now faces six new felony charges, including coercion with force or threat of force, extortion, intimidating public officers/others with the use of force, disregard of the safety of person/property, and battery by prisoner, probationer, or parolee. Additionally, he is charged with seven counts of battery on a protected person, all gross misdemeanors.
Redden failed to appear for his initial court hearing on the new charges and is scheduled to be in court on January 9, presided over by Judge Diana Sullivan. Furthermore, he is set to face Judge Holthus again on January 8 for the initial sentencing hearing.
In 2021, Redden served time in prison for a domestic battery charge, receiving a 12 to 30-month sentence. However, he was granted parole in 2022 by a board.
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