Current:Home > FinanceOklahoma judge sent over 500 texts during murder trial, including messages mocking prosecutor, calling witness liar -FutureProof Finance
Oklahoma judge sent over 500 texts during murder trial, including messages mocking prosecutor, calling witness liar
View
Date:2025-04-17 03:28:28
A new Oklahoma judge could lose her job for sending more than 500 texts to her bailiff during a murder trial, including messages mocking the prosecutor, praising the defense attorney and calling a key witness a liar.
The chief justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court recommended the removal of Lincoln County District Judge Traci Soderstrom in a court filing Tuesday following an investigation by the state's Council on Judicial Complaints.
Soderstrom has been under scrutiny since July after she was caught on camera scrolling through social media and texting during the trial of a man accused in the fatal beating of a 2-year-old.
Soderstrom, who was sworn in on Jan. 9 after being elected in November, was suspended with pay pending the outcome of a hearing by the Court on the Judiciary, which will determine whether to remove her from the bench.
"The pattern of conduct demonstrates Respondent's (Soderstrom's) gross neglect of duty, gross partiality and oppression," Chief Justice John Kane IV wrote. "The conduct further demonstrates Respondent's (Soderstrom's) lack of temperament to serve as a judge."
A phone call to a number listed for Soderstrom rang unanswered before disconnecting Wednesday.
Her attorney told The Oklahoman newspaper that the judge "takes these allegations very seriously" and is requesting "the entire record from the Council on Judicial Complaints so that she can respond appropriately."
Security video published by The Oklahoman showed Soderstrom texting or messaging for minutes at a time during jury selection, opening statements and testimony during the trial in Chandler, about 45 miles northeast of Oklahoma City.
The judge's texts included saying the prosecutor was "sweating through his coat" during questioning of potential jurors and asking "why does he have baby hands?" according to Kane's petition. The texts described the defense attorney as "awesome" and asked "can I clap for her?" during the defense attorney's opening arguments.
Soderstrom also texted a laughing emoji icon to the bailiff, who had "made a crass and demeaning reference to the prosecuting attorneys' genitals," Kane wrote.
Khristian Tyler Martzall, the man who was on trial while the judge was on her phone, was eventually convicted of second-degree manslaughter in the 2018 death of Braxton Danker, the son of Martzall's girlfriend, and sentenced to time served.
Martzall's girlfriend and the mother of the child, Judith Danker, pleaded guilty to enabling child abuse. She was sentenced to 25 years and was a key prosecution witness who was called a liar by Soderstrom during testimony.
"State just couldn't accept that a mom could kill their kid so they went after the next person available," Soderstrom texted, according to the filing from Kane.
Soderstrom's texts also included comments questioning whether a juror was wearing a wig, if a witness has teeth and calling a police officer who testified, "pretty," adding, "I could look at him all day."
When questioned by the Council on Judicial Complaints, Soderstrom said her texting "probably could have waited" rather than realizing the comments should never have been made. She said she thought, "oh, that's funny. Move on."
Kane's petition also said Soderstrom had previously criticized other attorneys and prosecutors, and berated a member of the courthouse staff.
Soderstrom should be removed for reasons that include gross neglect of duty, gross partiality in office and oppression in office, Kane wrote.
The judge's four-year term ends in January 2027.
While campaigning to be a judge, her website stated: "Compassion is at the forefront of Traci's work with the clients of her legal practice because she understands it's sometimes what they need most."
- In:
- Oklahoma
veryGood! (12182)
Related
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- This Program is Blazing a Trail for Women in Wildland Firefighting
- CBO says debt ceiling deal would cut deficits by $1.5 trillion over the next decade
- This Kimono Has 4,900+ 5-Star Amazon Reviews, Comes in 25 Colors, and You Can Wear It With Everything
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- For Many, the Global Warming Confab That Rose in the Egyptian Desert Was a Mirage
- These millionaires want to tax the rich, and they're lobbying working-class voters
- Clean-Water Plea Suggests New Pennsylvania Governor Won’t Tolerate Violations by Energy Companies, Advocates Say
- South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
- Inside Clean Energy: Flow Batteries Could Be a Big Part of Our Energy Storage Future. So What’s a Flow Battery?
Ranking
- Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
- Drifting Toward Disaster: the (Second) Rio Grande
- Cheaper eggs and gas lead inflation lower in May, but higher prices pop up elsewhere
- A landmark appeals court ruling clears way for Purdue Pharma-Sackler bankruptcy deal
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- This airline is weighing passengers before they board international flights
- Watch Carlee Russell press conference's: Police give update on missing Alabama woman
- Two free divers found dead in Hawaii on Oahu's North Shore
Recommendation
Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
Where Thick Ice Sheets in Antarctica Meet the Ground, Small Changes Could Have Big Consequences
Britney Spears Files Police Report After Being Allegedly Assaulted by Security Guard in Las Vegas
Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson's Steamiest Pics Are Irresistible
Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
Inside Clean Energy: Here Are The People Who Break Solar Panels to Learn How to Make Them Stronger
Over 1,000 kids are competing in the 2023 Mullet Championships: See the contestants
This Adjustable Floral Dress Will Be Your Summer Go-To and It’s Less Than $40