I think it's safe to say most of us probably have never seen anything like what happened to Judge Mark Kay Holthus Wednesday in the Clark County District Court in Las Vegas. 

Holthus was in the middle of sentencing Deobra Delone Redden for aggravated battery with substantial bodily harm. Redden 30, is a three time felon. His attorney seemed to be arguing he should get probation, saying he thought he was "worth this risk." The judge responded that she thought he needed a "taste of something else" and that "I just can't with that history." Then she began to announce his sentence, but didn't get to finish. 

That's when everything went south, as Redden suddenly rushed up, called her an expletive, and launched himself over the bench at the judge.

Warning for graphic language: 

District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus was violently attacked by a criminal defendant who leaped over the bench. pic.twitter.com/ZgkrTpvEQY

— Our Nevada Judges, Inc. (@OurNevadaJudges) January 3, 2024

He tackled her and began punching her as one of the men tried to grab him. 

Multiple men tried to subdue him but seemed to have real difficulty getting him under control even though you could see them punching him. They told him to get off her. It seemed to go on for a very long time with people not knowing quite what to do apart from the guys struggling with the man. 

I'm guessing everyone can agree now that he isn't "worth the risk." The other problem here, particularly given his prior history of violent behavior, is that they were far too complacent and not prepared. He should have been secured so this never could have happened. They should have anticipated issues with this guy. 

He has now been booked on new charges, including battery and battery on a protected person. 

One count of the battery-on-a-protected-person charge indicated the victim was “substantially harmed.”  [....]

Holthus hit her head, but was OK, sources said. A marshal was injured. [....] 

“Thank God the judge is okay,” Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said in a statement. “Thank God for the heroic efforts of those who came to her aid, especially her marshal and her law clerk. Without them, the situation would have been much worse as this defendant exhibited extremely violent behavior and I’m confident there will be consequences.”

The judge has some injuries and is being monitored, probably because she hit her head. The marshal has been hospitalized. But it could have ended very badly, given what happened. 

He says there "will be consequences." Hopefully, he gets some real action for this, because whatever he got before didn't dissuade him from further violence. His past charges include home invasion, domestic violence, and battery on a protected person. Why was he even out at this point? He should never have been walking the streets. 

Like the judge said, he clearly needs a "taste" of consequences. Will he get it? We'll have to see. 

But I'll bet at least one thing: the next hearing they have with this guy, they better have him secured if they value the safety of their judges and their staff.