the defendant attacked the judge in Nevada during the sentencing process.

A Nevada judge, Mary Kay Holthus, became the target of a violent assault on Wednesday during a felony battery case. The defendant, Deobra Delone Redden, leaped over a defense table and the judge's bench, landing on top of her, initiating a chaotic brawl involving court officials and attorneys. The disturbing incident, captured on courtroom video, saw Judge Holthus falling back against a wall, sustaining injuries but avoiding hospitalization.

A courtroom marshal who came to the judge's aid was also injured in the scuffle, suffering a bleeding gash on his forehead and a dislocated shoulder. The attack unfolded around 11 a.m. at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas. Redden, 30, was subdued and arrested, facing multiple new felony charges, including battery on a protected person, referring to the judge and court officers.

Richard Scow, the chief county district attorney who prosecuted Redden, described the incident as happening so fast that it was challenging to react appropriately. Redden, who was not in custody when he arrived at court, had requested leniency from the judge. As the judge indicated her intention to impose imprisonment, Redden, amidst expletives, charged forward, leading to chaos in the courtroom.

Records showed that Redden, a Las Vegas resident, had previously been found mentally competent to stand trial. In November, he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of attempted battery causing substantial bodily harm. Holthus, a seasoned prosecutor with over 27 years of courthouse experience, was elected to the state court bench in 2018 and re-elected in 2022.

In response to the incident, court spokeswoman Mary Ann Price stated that officials are reviewing all protocols to ensure the safety of the judiciary, the public, and employees. The violent episode underscores the challenges faced by courtroom security, prompting a reevaluation of measures to prevent such incidents in the future.