Vegas judge who was lunged at by suspect describes how she got into the fetal position during attack that left her ‘absolutely terrified’

A Las Vegas judge who was violently attacked in court by a serial criminal has revealed she was “absolutely terrified” as she curled into the fetal position in an attempt to protect herself.

Deobra Redden, 30, threw herself at Judge Mary Kay Holthus and shouted the words “nah f*** that b**ch” as she rejected his pleas for extended probation on Jan. 3.

During the bloody brawl, Holthus fell back from her chair into a marble wall when Redden landed on top of her and grabbed her, causing an American flag to fall on them.

Now Redden faces several charges, including attempted murder for the incident involving Judge Holthus.

Holthus, who still has a head wound that is “lumpy and bruised,” said she “wouldn’t be here” without the help of her colleagues.

Judge Mary Kay Holthus, who was violently attacked by a serial criminal in court, has revealed she was ‘absolutely terrified’ as she curled into the fetal position in an attempt to protect herself

In testimony obtained by VOS5 as of Feb. 7, the judge recounted Redden talking about all the positive steps he had taken, describing himself as “a changed person.”

Hothus refused to release the defendant on parole due to prior convictions for attempted assault causing substantial bodily harm.

“I think it’s time he got a taste of something else because I just can’t understand that history,” she joked before the now-viral attack.

As she told Redden the outcome, courtroom staff began positioning themselves near the door in case the suspect darted to freedom.

“The next thing I know, he literally jumped over the defense table and flew before I could even fly, and just slammed me into the wall,” Holthus said.

“I don’t know what happened to me.”

The judge described the attack as ‘incredibly fast’ and was thrown against a wall, resulting in a head wound that was still ‘lumpy and bruised’.

Vegas judge who was lunged at by suspect describes how

Serial felon, Deobra Redden, launched herself at Judge Mary Kay Holthus and screamed the words “nah f*** that b**ch” after she rejected his pleas for more probation in a clip that went viral

She said she was 'absolutely terrified' as she lay in a fetal position during the attack, before colleagues intervened

She said she was ‘absolutely terrified’ as she lay in a fetal position during the attack, before colleagues intervened

She added that the defendant was “very strong” and that “the bunny jumped on the defendant’s table like it was nothing.”

Holthus recalled being “absolutely terrified” as she lay on the floor, curled up in the fetal position, as court staff tried to intervene.

She thanked her colleagues, because the judge believes that she would not have survived the abuse if it had not been for them.

“If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here. I was no match. He definitely took me out,” she said.

“If it was just me, I wouldn’t have survived the multiple blows to the head, and that’s obviously where we were going with it. So I’m very grateful.’

During her testimony, Holthus stated that a month later she continued to deal with the injuries sustained during the attack.

Judge Holthus said she still has a head wound that is 'lumpy and bruised' a month after the incident

Judge Holthus said she still has a head wound that is ‘lumpy and bruised’ a month after the incident

She sentenced Redden to four years behind bars just a week after the incident for an attempted battery charge in 2023

She sentenced Redden to four years behind bars just a week after the incident for an attempted battery charge in 2023

He now faces additional charges in connection with the attack on the judge.  His arraignment will take place on February 29

He now faces additional charges related to the attack on the judge. His arraignment will take place on February 29

The County Clark judge returned to work just a day after the attack and sentenced Redden, who was secured with handcuffs, a spit mask and two officers, a week later.

He was sentenced to four years behind bars for the attempted battery charge in 2023.

Redden now faces charges of attempted murder of an elderly person, assault, extortion, disregard for the safety of a person resulting in substantial bodily harm and intimidating a government official with threats of violence, according to court documents.

His grand jury arraignment is scheduled for February 29, 2024.