Oklahoma judge resigns amid texting scandal during murder trial

An Oklahoma judge has stepped down after being caught sending hundreds of texts from the bench while presiding over a murder trial involving the killing of a 2-year-old boy. District Judge Traci Soderstrom agreed not to seek judicial office in Oklahoma again, following a proposed settlement agreement filed with the Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary. 

This decision comes after allegations of gross neglect of duty, oppression in office, lack of proper temperament, and failure to supervise her office, which could have led to her removal from the bench.

Revelation of misconduct

In a resignation letter given to local media, Soderstrom expressed her commitment to upholding the Constitution in a fair, even-handed, and efficient manner, while acknowledging her human fallibility. 

The Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice John Kane IV recommended Soderstrom's removal following an investigation that revealed her mockery of prosecutors, inappropriate comments, and unprofessional behavior during the trial of Khristian Tyler Martzall, accused of the murder of his girlfriend's 2-year-old son.

Disturbing behavior

Security footage published by The Oklahoman depicted Soderstrom texting and scrolling through Facebook for extended periods during jury selection, opening statements, and testimony. 

She also exchanged over 500 texts with her bailiff, some of which contained disrespectful remarks about the prosecutor and inappropriate comments about the defense attorney. Despite the disturbing nature of the texts, Martzall was eventually convicted of second-degree manslaughter and sentenced to time served.

Integrity of the judicial process

Soderstrom's voluntary suspension in October and subsequent resignation mark the culmination of a scandal that has brought her conduct under intense scrutiny. The judge's behavior, as well as the lenient sentence received by Martzall, has raised questions about the integrity and fairness of the judicial process in Oklahoma.