Rebels are often seen as cool, but sometimes people take things too far. In a recent court proceeding, a man about to be sentenced to jail attacked the judge.
Rebels founded this country. Had the British won, there wouldn’t be a United States of America. That spirit flows within many Americans who admire people who take injustices into their own hands. The part that seems to get confused is the difference between actual justice and injustice. While there’s nothing wrong with questioning authority, when you’re guilty of a crime, it’s time to face the music and serve your time.
Not the right place for action
When defendants are brought in front of the judge for sentencing, the time for action has passed. That didn’t seem to be the thought in the mind of one man who dove over the bench and attacked a judge and several of her staff before being subdued by the officers in the courtroom. This isn’t a common event in most courtrooms and not something that is truly in the spirit of being a rebel, but more in the spirit of criminal activity. This event is a prime example of the differences.
The events unfolded
In a Las Vegas courtroom, Deobra Redden, 30, a three-time felon, dove over the bench at Judge Mary Kay Holthus and attacked her. The attack was caught on camera from various angles, which would make it extremely difficult for Redden to defend himself or ask for leniency. The marshal in the courtroom, Shane Brandon, was part of the altercation and received 25 stitches for a gash on his face while also sustaining a dislocated shoulder.
Once Redden leaped over the bench, he slammed the judge’s head against a wall, hit her on the head, and pulled some hair out of her head during the altercation. She eventually hid under her desk and covered up her face until the altercation was over.
This isn’t the first sentencing for Redden
Redden isn’t new to the courtroom or spending time in jail. He served prison time on a domestic battery charge in 2021 and also was put on probation by Judge Holthus in a case of malicious destruction of property. This track record indicates he’s more of a long-time criminal and nothing like a rebel. In fact, after this most recent altercation, it’s unlikely Redden will be free for a long time; he faces 13 new charges in connection with this attack, along with the original crime for which he was in the courtroom that was interrupted by his outburst.
What makes a person a true rebel?
Although rebels can be criminals, many times, those who have righteousness about them and buck the rules and trends do so with purpose and no malicious intent toward others. Some of the qualities that make a person a rebel that we can often admire and respect are:
- They live by their values
- They blend confidence with compassion
- They cultivate trust
- They are trendspotters
- They ask great questions
- They are disruptive
- They have strong networks of influence
- They can move quickly
- They honor hierarchy
- They are committed to collective success
Something greater than themselves
To truly be a respected person who’s also a true rebel, these qualities are necessary. Those who lead a charge in a different direction must have something in mind that’s greater than themselves and their own preservation. This is a key difference between a person who is a rebel but can be a criminal and another person who is simply a criminal. The criminal-only person acts solely out of self-preservation, selfishness, and aggression.
Redden is due back in court
It’s pretty easy to see that Deobra Redden is simply a criminal who is only out for himself. His actions in the courtroom are nothing more than a short-lived attack on a system that is much bigger and greater than him. Proof of that came two days later when Judge Holthus ordered officers to bring Redden to court “by any and all means necessary” to continue the hearing that he interrupted. This continuance took place on the Monday after his attack on the judge.
Hopefully, the right message
Sometimes, when one person tries something and gets to their goal, other people will do the same. Hopefully, the actions of Deobra Redden are not repeated in other courtrooms around the country. If they are, it’s a pretty safe bet that officials will take action to ensure the safety of judges and other members of the court, which should put a quick and decisive end to this kind of criminal activity.
robert.davis 
Sarah Johnson