Trial begins for man seen attacking Las Vegas judge on video

The trial started Tuesday for a man captured in a viral video launching himself across a courtroom and attacking a Las Vegas judge.

But before the jury selection process began, 31-year-old Deobra Redden pleaded guilty to six charges while entering a not guilty plea to an attempted murder charge.

Redden’s defense attorney, Carl Arnold, has previously said his client is not guilty by reason of insanity, and that Redden was in a “delusional state” when he attacked the judge in January. But Arnold told the Review-Journal on Tuesday that he is no longer planning to use that defense during trial.

“The criteria for not guilty by reason of insanity is a very high burden,” Arnold said. “You have to basically be like blanked out, and not know the difference between right and wrong.”

Chief Deputy District Attorney John Giordani said during court that jurors would only decide the attempted murder charge and would not be told about the guilty pleas he entered for the other charges.

Redden pleaded guilty to battery on a protected person age 60 or older resulting in substantial bodily harm, intimidating a public officer, battery on an officer resulting in substantial bodily harm, willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property resulting in substantial bodily harm, battery by a prisoner and unlawful act related to bodily fluid.

Redden admitted that on Jan. 3 he jumped over the defense table, ran across the courtroom and launched himself “Superman-style” at District Judge Mary Kay Holthus, pulling her hair and hitting her on the head.

“Did you do that, sir?” District Judge Susan Johnson asked Redden while he entered his guilty pleas on Tuesday.

“Yes, your honor,” Redden said.

Redden also admitted to spitting on a correction officer at the Clark County Detention Center after he was arrested for attacking the judge.

Arnold said his client is not disputing the video, but that he plans to argue Redden was not trying to kill the judge.

“It’s all on video,” Arnold told the Review-Journal. “…We’re not trying to mislead anyone.”

Prosecutors on Tuesday announced they were dropping additional charges Redden faced for extortion and battery on an officer. The jury will also not be told about the charges that were dropped.

Redden attacked the judge in January while appearing for a sentencing hearing on an attempted battery charge. He was seen on video attacking Holthus after she said she would not sentence him to probation.

An attorney, clerk and uniformed officer helped pull Redden off Holthus, and a courtroom marshal who ran after Redden suffered a head injury and dislocated shoulder after tripping into the judge’s bench, police have said.

Arnold said he plans to call two witnesses during the trial — Redden’s foster mother, who has previously spoken out about his mental health, and a psychologist. Prosecutors have said they expect to call 10 to 15 witnesses.

Attorneys began questioning more than 40 potential jurors on Tuesday afternoon. Jury selection is set to continue at 1 p.m. Wednesday, followed by opening statements.

Contact Katelyn Newberg at knewberg@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0240.