The family of a man who was filmed attacking a Las Vegas judge has come forward to say that, while they don’t condone Deobra Redden’s actions, his mental health had not been taken into consideration before the court appearance.
“Oh my god, I went into a state of shock,” Karen Springer, Redden’s foster mother, told local CBS affiliate 8NewsNow. “I mean it was heartbreaking really to see him and, like I said, at the end of the day it’s about his mental state.”
Redden, 30, was in court on 3 January to be sentenced on an attempted battery charge dating to last year. During that appearance, Redden told Clark county district court judge Mary Kay Holthus that he was “in a better place” mentally and didn’t think he should be sent to prison.
Caesar Almase, Redden’s lawyer, explained during the hearing that Redden has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. He’d been through mental health court twice amid a string of violent crimes.
When Holthus made it clear that Redden would again be incarcerated, Redden vaulted over the defense table and dove over the judge’s bench, landing atop Holthus. Video showed Holthus falling back against the wall behind her bench, and a US flag toppling forward.
Holthus suffered some injuries but was back to work the next day.
Redden returned to court on Monday, where he was shackled and closely watched by jail security guards as he was sentenced to up to four years in state prison.
“I want to make it clear I am not changing or modifying the sentence I was in the process of imposing last week before I was interrupted by the defendant’s actions,” Holthus said. Although the sentence is for four years, Redden could be eligible for parole in 19 months.
Redden is slated to appear before a different judge on Tuesday regarding 15 new felony and misdemeanor charges related to the courtroom attack. He could face decades in prison if he’s convicted.
Springer and Redden’s older sister, LaDonna Daniels, spoke to reporters outside court about Redden’s mental health.
“No disrespect. We’re not denying what he did,” Springer said, noting that she was shocked on 3 January when Redden, in her words, “just snapped”.
She explained to 8NewsNow that her son was just getting his life back on track.
“He just got out, got an apartment, [he] did everything right,” she said. “In his mind, he didn’t think he was going back.”
Daniels said the family was expecting a more lenient sentence and that her brother’s mental condition hadn’t been taken into consideration.
“He tried to speak for himself,” Daniels said. “I just think that he shouldn’t have been allowed to take the stand or speak by himself because of his condition.”
Daniels explained that Redden hadn’t been in treatment recently. “He struggles with his illness. It’s a chemical imbalance. I don’t think sending him to prison will help.”
Springer said that she has spoken to her son over the phone since Wednesday and that he is now taking his medication.
Redden remained jailed Monday on $54,000 bail pending his Tuesday court appearance.
