An Oklahoma judge is facing potential removal from her position due to her extensive texting during a murder trial. The texts, totaling over 500, included messages that ridiculed the prosecutor, praised the defense attorney, and labeled a crucial witness as untruthful.
The Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court has recommended the removal of Lincoln County District Judge Traci Soderstrom, following an investigation conducted by the state's Council on Judicial Complaints. This controversy began in July when Soderstrom was observed scrolling through social media and texting during the trial of a man accused of fatally beating a 2-year-old.
Soderstrom, who assumed office on January 9 after being elected in November, has been suspended with pay until a hearing by the Court on the Judiciary decides whether to remove her from her judicial role.
Chief Justice John Kane IV stated, "The pattern of conduct demonstrates Respondent's (Soderstrom's) gross neglect of duty, gross partiality, and oppression. The conduct further demonstrates Respondent's (Soderstrom's) lack of temperament to serve as a judge."
The text messages she sent during the trial included comments on the prosecutor's appearance, such as noting that he was "sweating through his coat" while questioning potential jurors and questioning the size of his hands. She also praised the defense attorney as "awesome" and inquired if she could applaud for her during opening arguments.
Additionally, Soderstrom sent a laughing emoji to the bailiff, who had made derogatory remarks about the prosecuting attorneys. The defendant, Khristian Tyler Martzall, was ultimately convicted of second-degree manslaughter in the 2018 death of Braxton Danker, the son of Martzall's girlfriend, and was sentenced to time served.
The child's mother, Judith Danker, who had pleaded guilty to enabling child abuse and was sentenced to 25 years, served as a key prosecution witness. However, during her testimony, Soderstrom called her a liar and stated, "State just couldn't accept that a mom could kill their kid so they went after the next person available," according to Chief Justice Kane's petition.
Soderstrom's texts also included comments about the appearance of a juror, whether a witness was wearing a wig, and whether a police officer who testified was attractive. During questioning by the Council on Judicial Complaints, Soderstrom admitted that her texting "probably could have waited" and that she viewed the comments as humorous, indicating she should have refrained from making them.
Security footage published by The Oklahoman newspaper revealed that Soderstrom spent several minutes at a time texting or messaging during jury selection, opening statements, and testimony throughout the trial in Chandler, located about 45 miles northeast of Oklahoma City.
Kane's petition also cited previous instances in which Soderstrom criticized other attorneys and prosecutors and mistreated a member of the courthouse staff. He recommended her removal from office on grounds of gross neglect of duty, gross partiality in office, and oppression in office. Soderstrom's current term as judge is set to conclude in January 2027.
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