Chief Judge Jerry Wiese speaks during a press conference at the Regional Justice Center Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024.
Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 | 5:20 p.m.
Clark County District Court officials are reviewing security measures at the Regional Justice Center and hoping to enhance the number of marshals at their disposal after a defendant Wednesday leaped over the judge’s bench in a chaotic scene captured on courtroom video.
Chief Judge Jerry Wiese on Thursday labeled the situation as unique, saying he has never seen someone “superman” over the bench — not in Clark County or other courthouses.
“We will do anything we can to make this a safe place, not only for judges but for staff and public,” Wiese said.
The video showed Clark County District Judge Mary Kay Holthus falling back from her seat against a wall as the defendant leaped over the bench and attacked her, including by grabbing her hair. The judge was not hospitalized and returned Thursday to the bench, Wiese said. Holthus reported she was still sore and stiff, though, Wiese said.
The defendant, Deobra Delone Redden, 30, was jailed on $54,000 bail and refused to return to court Thursday on new charges, including battery against a protected person. A judge rescheduled his next appearance for Jan. 9.
Redden had to be wrestled off Holthus by several court staffers and jail officers, some of whom were seen on video throwing punches.
One courtroom marshal was hospitalized for treatment of a bleeding gash on his forehead and a dislocated shoulder. He has since been discharged, Wiese said.
Wiese, delivering remarks from Holthus, said his colleague thanked well-wishers and was grateful for those who sprung into action in her defense.
During Wednesday’s hearing Redden had asked the judge for probation, saying he “never stops trying to do the right thing no matter how hard it is,” according to the video.
As Holtus made clear she intended to put him behind bars, and the court marshal moved to handcuff him, Redden yelled expletives and charged forward — amid screams from people who had been sitting with him in the courtroom audience.
Wiese credited the judge’s clerk, Michael Lasso, for “heroic actions” in attempting to pull Redden off the judge and hitting him. Lasso suffered hand cuts and was treated at the courthouse.
Wiese said there was a shortage of marshals and that court officials would be attempting to strengthen their ranks, especially for criminal court calendars. Most courtrooms have one marshal; some have two, Wiese said.
Holthus only had one marshal, but Wiese said even a second might not have stopped Redden. Redden moved too quickly, Wiese stressed, again labeling the situation as unique.
“I don’t know what could have prevented this,” he said. “(We are) looking at every opportunity we can to make things better.”
Wiese stressed that court officials spent hours after the incident looking for ways to improve safety, saying, “Our whole goal is to maintain trust in the public court system.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
