Courts

Defendant Leaps Over Bench To Attack Judge, Gets Pummeled By Law Clerk

This jump gives new meaning to 'flight risk.'

By Joe Patrice on January 04, 2024 11:45 am

Defendant Deobra Redden pleaded guilty to attempted battery with substantial bodily harm and asked the court for probation, noting that he was “at a better place in my life.” Clark County Judge Mary Kay Holthus had just appeared to deny Redden’s probation with a probably ill-advisedly snarky “I think it’s time you get a taste of something else.”

The defendant did not take it well.

What the hell?!?!?

First things first. The judge is reportedly fine, though a marshal was hospitalized for “a gash on his forehead and a dislocated shoulder.” We wish the marshal a speedy recovery. The rise in violence aimed toward judges isn’t isolated to this matter. The former president of the United States is stoking animus against all the judges in his various legal cases — not Judge Cannon, of course — inviting a hail of death threats.

Unfortunately for Judge Holthus, she’s presiding over the Nevada fake electors case so that brand of crazy may befall her too.

But also… did you see the height that dude got? He doesn’t have much of a running start in that courtroom and he’s getting serious air to get up over the bench.

However, let’s focus on the real hero here. Check out the clerk over the judge’s shoulder who transitions from “normal day at the office” to “mouth agape” to “it’s clobberin’ time” in about half a second. Clerk’s just raining punches on the defendant while the bailiffs try to subdue the guy.

Now there’s someone who deserves one of those gaudy clerkship bonuses that firms toss around.

HeadshotJoe Patrice is a senior editor at Above the Law and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. Feel free to email any tips, questions, or comments. Follow him on Twitter if you’re interested in law, politics, and a healthy dose of college sports news. Joe also serves as a Managing Director at RPN Executive Search.