A shocking incident unfolded in a Las Vegas courtroom on Wednesday as a defendant erupted in anger upon learning of his impending incarceration.
The dramatic scene, captured in public recordings, shows Deobra Redden, who is on trial for attempted assault and battery, verbally insulting Judge Mary Kay Holthus before impulsively leaping over the dais to physically attack the magistrate.
The tension escalated moments after Redden's lawyer requested a suspended sentence with probation. Judge Holthus, however, expressed a different perspective, citing the defendant's extensive criminal record, which included prior convictions for domestic violence and breaking and entering, as reported by local television station KSNV.
Frustrated by the judge's decision, Redden launched himself at her, evading the efforts of a security guard and court staff attempting to intervene. A chaotic melee ensued, resulting in several blows before Redden was eventually subdued by multiple individuals.
A spokesperson for the Clark County Courthouse in Nevada, situated in the American west, informed AFP that Judge Holthus sustained injuries during the altercation, and her condition is currently under close monitoring. Additionally, an injured security agent was promptly transported to the hospital, and reports indicate that their condition is now stable.
The spokesperson concluded, "After this incident, we are reviewing all our protocols and will take every necessary step to protect the judiciary, the public, and our employees."
