'I'm not an evil person': Las Vegas man sentenced to 26 years for attacking judge

LAS VEGAS (CN) — The man who attacked a Las Vegas judge by jumping over the court bench while she presided over her courtroom was sentenced Tuesday to at least 26 years in prison.

Deobra Delone Redden, 31, pleaded guilty but mentally ill in September for the attack on Clark County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus on January 3. He will become parole eligible in the 2050s.

Testimony from Holthus and her law clerk, Michael Lasso, revealed that Redden leapt over Holthus’s desk and attacked her after she said he wouldn’t be sentenced to probation. Redden was indicted by a grand jury on nine charges on February 8. That included a charge of attempted battery on a protected person, and attempted murder on a person over 60 years old. He plead not guilty by reason of insanity on February 29 for the two charges.

Holthus stated Redden knocked her out of her chair and slammed her head against the wall before being restrained. He also pulled out Holthus’s hair and went after Lasso. They weren’t the only people whose lives were in jeopardy.

“Four to six unarmed men kept me alive,” District Attorney John Giordani said. “Redden’s behavior escalated to trying to kill me as well.”

Redden’s defense attorney, Carl Arnold, stated he didn’t know what his client was doing when he jumped the desk and attacked the judge.

“He doesn’t have any reclamation of jumping over the bench,” Arnold said. “But when he saw the video, he was deeply remorseful.”

Redden has a long history of criminal activity, including three prior felony convictions. He also claims a long history of mental illness, being diagnosed at 16 years old with schizophrenia.

“The state’s failure to recognize mental illness and what we should do in terms of addressing these issues could be more at depth,” Arnold said. “We must get a life-plan to comply and have normal behavior.”

“The case has shed light on people’s mental illness and what need to do to help them,” Arnold added. “We must get the Governor [Lombardo] and the District Attorney to find solutions. Otherwise, they’ll still commit crimes.”

Arnold asked for a sentence of four to 11 years. Five counts would run concurrent with the time he already served and the last two counts — battery by prisoner and unlawful act related to bodily fluid — would run for two to six years.

However, Giordani asked for life without parole based on a lack of impulse control and accountability.

“Redden’s behavior escalated to trying to kill the judge and myself,” Giordani said.

Redden offered his side of the story, detailing a life-long battle with mental illness. That includes claims that he starting hearing voices in his head in 2012.

“I don’t understand why the state is going after my character,” Redden said. “I’ve had problems since I was a kid. I’m just being me, growing up and trying to do the right thing.”

“I know I’m not a bad person,” Redden added. “On January 3, I was listening to music, I was in a good mood. I don’t know why the state is trying to prove me as a bad person. I’m not an evil person.”

Judge Susan Johnson agreed with Giordani, and slapped Redden with a 26-year minimum term with parole.

“Your actions on that day wasn’t just retaliation; it was judiciary,” Johnson told Redden. “While you do have mental issues, you did know the difference between right and wrong.”

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