Judge Mary Kay Holthus’s injuries from the January 3, 2024 courtroom attack included head trauma, a bruised and inflamed left arm, a tailbone injury, and clumps of hair torn from her scalp, after defendant Deobra Redden vaulted her four-foot bench and landed on top of her during a sentencing hearing in Las Vegas. She was treated by paramedics at the scene, taken to a hospital for a scan without being admitted, and returned to the bench the next day.
What Happened on January 3, 2024
Redden, then 30, was standing before Holthus in Clark County District Court for sentencing on an attempted battery charge. The underlying case involved an April 2023 incident in which he swung a baseball bat at his brother-in-law.1News3LV. Man Who Attacked Judge Was in Court for Swinging Bat at Brother-in-Law, According to Arrest Report As the judge was about to deliver his sentence, Redden launched himself over the bench, landed on Holthus, grabbed her hair, and knocked her backward into a wall. An American flag toppled onto both of them.2CBS News. Man Who Attacked Judge in Las Vegas Courtroom Sentenced
Law clerk Michael Lasso reached the judge first. Chief Judge Jerry Wiese later said Lasso was “the primary person who pulled the defendant off of her” and credited him with preventing worse injuries.3KTNV. Chief Judge to Address Jan. 3 Courtroom Attack From Regional Justice Center Lasso and the courtroom marshal wrestled Redden to the ground. The marshal came away with a dislocated shoulder and a bleeding gash on his forehead.4NPR. Attacks on Judges, Las Vegas, Nevada Hearing Lasso was treated for cuts on his hands.5NBC Bay Area. Nevada Judge Is Back to Work a Day After Being Attacked by Defendant “I absolutely thought, ‘He’s going to kill her,'” Lasso later testified.6WRBL. A Man Who Attacked a Nevada Judge in Court Pleads Guilty but Mentally Ill
The Injuries Holthus Described
Testifying before a Clark County grand jury, Holthus said the impact felt “like getting hit by a car when you’re not sitting in a car.” She had headaches for several days. Her left arm stayed inflamed and painful enough to disrupt her sleep. Her tailbone hurt for about two weeks and kept her off her treadmill. She also lost clumps of hair from where Redden had grabbed her.78 News Now. Video, Photos Show Aftermath Injuries From Las Vegas Judge Attack Photos entered into the grand jury record showed bruising across her arm and shoulder.8News3LV. Photos Reveal Injuries After Las Vegas Judge Attack
At Redden’s trial that September, Holthus told jurors she had feared for her life and felt “defenseless” during the attack.6WRBL. A Man Who Attacked a Nevada Judge in Court Pleads Guilty but Mentally Ill
Medical Treatment and Return to the Bench
Paramedics treated Holthus in the courtroom. She went to a hospital for a scan but was not admitted, and she confirmed to the grand jury that she was not hospitalized in the traditional sense.78 News Now. Video, Photos Show Aftermath Injuries From Las Vegas Judge Attack Chief Judge Wiese said the following day that she “remained sore and stiff” but was back on the bench.98 News Now. Clark County Chief Judge Provides Update on Those Injured During Las Vegas Courtroom Attack
Holthus returned to work on January 4, 2024, one day after the attack. Wiese relayed a message on her behalf saying she was “extremely grateful for those who took brave actions” and thanking those who had expressed concern for her and her staff.10Courthouse News Service. Nevada Judge Back on Bench One Day After Attack
Sentencing Redden Five Days Later
On January 8, Holthus sentenced Redden on the original attempted battery charge in the same courtroom where he had attacked her. She imposed 19 to 48 months in prison and told the court she had not changed the sentence she had been about to deliver when Redden interrupted her. To prove it, she entered her calendar from the previous Wednesday into the record as an exhibit.11MyNBC15. Man Who Lunged at Judge During Sentencing Hearing Expected to Appear Before Same Judge Redden appeared in shackles, a spit mask, and gloves, surrounded by heavy security.12Court TV. Man Who Attacked Judge Appears in Same Courtroom for Sentencing
Redden’s Prosecution and 26-to-65-Year Sentence
A Clark County grand jury heard testimony from seven witnesses, including Holthus, on February 7, 2024, and indicted Redden the next day on nine charges: attempted murder of a victim aged 60 or older, battery on a protected person resulting in substantial bodily harm, extortion by threat, intimidating a public officer, battery on an officer, wanton disregard of safety resulting in substantial bodily harm, battery on a protected person, battery by a prisoner, and an unlawful act related to human excrement or bodily fluid.13Las Vegas Review-Journal. “Boom and He Was on Me” — Judge Describes Courtroom Attack
Redden initially pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to attempted murder.14Court TV. NV v. Deobra Redden: Judge Jumper Attempted Murder Trial15CNN. Nevada Judge Attack Sentencing16KTNV. Courtroom Attacker Who Jumped Judge on Bench Is Mentally Ill, Repeat Offender On the second day of trial, September 5, 2024, he changed his plea to guilty but mentally ill on all counts.
District Court Judge Susan Johnson sentenced Redden on December 10, 2024, to 26 to 65 years in Nevada prison, making him eligible for parole no earlier than 2050.17The New York Times. Deobra Redden, Who Attacked Judge, Is Sentenced188 News Now. Man Sentenced for Attacking Las Vegas Judge19Courthouse News Service. “I’m Not an Evil Person” — Las Vegas Man Sentenced to 26 Years for Attacking Judge20CBS Austin. Man Seen in Viral Video Attacking Judge in Las Vegas Sentenced
Where Things Stand Now
Holthus remains an active judge on the Clark County District Court as of 2026, still presiding over Department XVIII, the seat she has held since January 2019.21Clark County Courts. Department XVIII Financial disclosure filings with the Nevada Secretary of State show activity as recently as April 2026.22Nevada Secretary of State. Candidate Details, Mary Kay Holthus
Redden is pursuing an appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court. In December 2025, a Clark County public defender filed a brief arguing that his trial attorney’s representation had been “objectively unreasonable” and seeking a new trial on grounds of ineffective assistance of counsel. As of early 2026, the state had not filed a response and no oral argument had been scheduled.23Las Vegas Review-Journal. Man Who Attacked Judge in Viral Video Wants New Trial, Says Attorney Was Ineffective248 News Now. Lawyer Disciplined for Mishandling Las Vegas Judge Attack Appeal