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Man receives at least 26 years in prison for attack on Las Vegas judge

In a video of the attack, Deobra Redden can be seen jumping over the judge's desk in order to attack her

A man who attacked a judge in a Las Vegas courtroom after jumping over her desk has been sentenced to at least 26 years in prison.

Deobra Redden, 31, attacked County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus in January as she was about to deliver his sentence in a separate case.

He was sentenced on Tuesday after pleading guilty but mentally ill in September to attempted murder and other charges stemming from the attack on Holthus

He will now serve between 26 and 65 years in a Nevada prison.

District Judge Mary Kay Holthus testified against Deobra Redden. Credit: AP

During the trial, Holthus had testified that she feared for her life when Redden vaulted over her 4-foot-high (1.2-metre high) bench and landed on her.

At the time of the attack, he was appearing in court for separate attempted battery charges.

The criminal complaint said he attacked the judge "once he knew he was about to sentence him to prison".

In a video of the incident, Redden's attorney is seen telling the judge he believed his client could complete probation successfully.

“I appreciate that,” the judge replied, “but I think it’s time that he get a taste of something else because – I just can’t, with that history.”

Deobra Redden has been sentenced to at least 26 years in prison. Credit: AP

Seconds later, Redden shouted, “F**k that b*tch!” and ran toward the judge, leaping over the bench and attacking her.

Redden tackled Holthus to the ground, and both disappeared from the camera’s view behind the bench, the video shows.

As others in the courtroom tried to restrain him, Redden screamed, “F**k you both!” and threw several punches.

The judge stayed on the ground for several minutes before standing up, appearing to say she hit her head.

Holthus suffered some injuries but was not hospitalised, courthouse officials said at the time.

## Man who leapt to attack Las Vegas judge charged with attempted murder## Defendant leaps to attack judge in Las Vegas court after probation denied

Redden's defence lawyer Carl Arnold has said his client was not taking his prescribed medication to control his diagnosed schizophrenia at the time of the attack.

When Redden entered his plea in September, Arnold said it “reflects a delicate balance between accepting responsibility for a regrettable incident and recognising the impact of Mr Redden’s untreated mental illness at the time.”

In court on Tuesday, Redden said that he did not intend to kill Holthus, KLAS-TV reported.

“I'm not making excuses for my actions, but I'm saying I'm not a bad person and I know that I did not intend to kill Mary Kay Holthus,” he said.

Redden will be eligible for parole sometime after 2050, KLAS-TV reported.

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