A man who was captured on shocking video attacking a Nevada judge by jumping through a chair earlier this year has pleaded guilty to attempted murder but claimed insanity, according to reports.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Deobra Redden, 31, pleaded guilty to six charges before the start of his trial on Tuesday, but pleaded not guilty to attempted murder of a victim over 60. When he returned to court on Thursday, Redden withdrew his guilty plea and instead pleaded guilty to each charge but guilty by reason of insanity.
The charges to which Redden pleaded guilty include assault on a protected person over 60 years of age causing serious bodily injury, intimidation of a public servant, assault on a public servant causing serious bodily injury, intentional or willful disregard for the safety of person or property causing serious bodily injury, assault by a prisoner and misconduct involving bodily fluids.
Pleading guilty but acknowledging he suffers from a mental illness could affect the type of facility Redden is placed in while in prison and the type of mental health treatment he can receive.
Nevada man faces up to four years in prison after attacking Clark County judge on viral video
Defendant Debra Redden lunged at Clark County District Judge Mary Kay Holthus during her Jan. 3, 2024, sentencing hearing. (Screenshot/Fox News)
On Jan. 3, Judge Mary Kay Holthus was preparing to announce Redden's sentence inside Clark County District Court when chaos erupted at the scene after Redden's bail was denied.
In a video obtained by Fox News Digital, Redden's attorney asked the judge to give his client probation.
“I think it's time to give him a taste of something else,” Holthus replied.
Redden is then shown flying into the air over the bench with his arms and legs outstretched, landing on top of the judge.
A Nevada man was caught on video attacking a Clark County judge after being denied probation.
Clark County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus will preside in court on Monday, Jan. 8. (KM Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal/AP)
The defendant grabbed the judge's hair and had to be forcibly removed by the judge's clerk, Michael Russo, and several court and jail staff, some of whom began punching the defendant. Russo was treated for cuts to his hand, and the sheriff was hospitalized for a dislocated shoulder and a cut to his forehead. Holthus was injured but returned to work the next day.
Before Redden pleaded guilty Thursday, Holthus and a court clerk who swooped in to remove the suspect from the judge took the stand, FOX 5 in Las Vegas reported.
Holthus was the first witness to testify and explained the process for reviewing the case and determining the length of probation and sentencing.
Experts say Las Vegas courtroom attack highlights problem of violence against judges
Deobra Redden, whose video attacking U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Holthus went viral, will appear again before Judge Holthus for her sentence on January 8, 2024 at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas. (KM Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
The judge said he could not recall whether he sent Redden to prison or if he was already in custody, adding that he ruled to revoke Redden's probation.
Holthus also said Redden remained calm during the January hearing and that it seemed like a typical hearing.
Holthus became emotional when the video was played in court, the station reported.
“Obviously I hit my head, but my family wouldn't let me drive, so my daughter wanted to go get checked out,” Holthus said. “I had headaches for a few days, and the areas where I'd plucked the hair…the areas where I'd plucked it hurt. My back, my arms, everything was stiff, like I'd been shaken.”
“He literally pushed me out of a chair and through a wall. He pushed me so hard I nearly knocked my shoes off,” she added. “He was very determined, very violent and very scary. I didn't think I could get away with it.”
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Redden's case was scheduled to go to jury trial, but the jury was dismissed after he changed his plea. He is scheduled to appear again on November 7, 2024.
District Attorney Steve Wolfson said Redden's criminal history was primarily violent, with three felony convictions and nine misdemeanors, according to the Associated Press. Records show Redden had previously served time in prison in Nevada for domestic violence.
Fox News Digital's Greg Norman contributed to this report.
