Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Oklahoma Judge Who Sent More Than 500 Texts During Murder Trial Resigns
The Epoch Times ^ | 2/10/24 | AP staff

Posted on 02/10/2024 1:22:00 PM PST by CFW

OKLAHOMA CITY—An Oklahoma judge agreed to step down Friday after she was caught sending hundreds of texts from the bench while overseeing a murder trial in the killing of a 2-year-old boy, including messages that mocked prosecutors and were sprinkled with emojis.

District Judge Traci Soderstrom also agreed to not seek judicial office again in Oklahoma under a proposed settlement agreement filed with the Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary. She had faced removal from the bench over accusations that included gross neglect of duty, oppression in office, lack of proper temperament, and failure to supervise her office.

Judge Soderstrom had been scheduled to go on trial in a special court starting Monday.

[snip]

The judge’s texts during Mr. Martzall’s trial on a charge of killing his girlfriend’s 2-year-old son included saying the prosecutor was “sweating through his coat,” according to Justice 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. In all, Judge Soderstrom sent more than 500 texts to her bailiff.

(Excerpt) Read more at theepochtimes.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; US: Oklahoma
KEYWORDS: dei; hubris; oklahoma; textingjudge; tracisoderstrom
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-36 last
To: bigfootbob

You may need to stop posting here, then.


21 posted on 02/10/2024 2:22:38 PM PST by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; not averse to Going Bronson.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: CFW

She looks like she’s done her share of sweating.


22 posted on 02/10/2024 2:31:12 PM PST by HalfIrish
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CFW

This could have been a good Night Court episode if was set in the era of texting. Judge Harry was the wrong sex and size however.


23 posted on 02/10/2024 2:34:36 PM PST by xp38
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: xp38

“This could have been a good Night Court episode if was set in the era of texting. Judge Harry was the wrong sex and size however.”


I haven’t watched any reruns of Night Court in years. As I recall he was a bit liberal but always managed to do the right thing in the end.

I’ve noticed in watching old shows that were previously in prime time, social engineering was done through media even in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. For instance, in cop shows they always spoke of guns being “registered” as if every firearm had to be registered with the government. Most of the time, they tracked down the culprit due to his registered firearm.

I think even back then, the government wanted people to get used to the idea that all firearm ownership should and would be tracked.


24 posted on 02/10/2024 2:41:41 PM PST by CFW (I will not comply!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: aquila48

There’s some stupid judges out there! They just have to text while in court? Dumb!


25 posted on 02/10/2024 3:12:21 PM PST by existentially_kuffer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: CFW

Trump’s judges are worse.


26 posted on 02/10/2024 3:12:28 PM PST by DeplorablePaul
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CFW

This is such a sin. To not pay attention, while you’re the presiding Judge? That’s just a disgrace. I don’t care if you’re sitting in Traffic Court. But at trial? For the murder of an infant? You think that’s good time to cut-up and make jokes?


27 posted on 02/10/2024 3:23:41 PM PST by jocon307
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jocon307

Twats gonna twat....I mean text. Jesus, at a murder trial of a child. How about disbarring her now as well?


28 posted on 02/10/2024 3:25:36 PM PST by zoomie92 (Reality check)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: Honest Nigerian

Yep.

I know one - she is a corpulent butterface who was a raging democrat but they didn’t put up with her crap so she is now a Republican and is heavily involved in the political scene. She was called on the carpet during an election on something she did (she was running for office) but I can’t remember the details.


29 posted on 02/10/2024 3:35:39 PM PST by Cowgirl of Justice
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Secret Agent Man

Hahahaha said the loser who had it’s post deleted.


30 posted on 02/10/2024 4:01:40 PM PST by bigfootbob (Arm Up and Live Free!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: DallasBiff

STUPID WOMEN! TRACI.....GROW UP!


31 posted on 02/10/2024 4:48:03 PM PST by Ann Archy (Abortion....... The HUMAN Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: aquila48

As an attorney who takes child murders very seriously I have no use for this worthless judge.


32 posted on 02/10/2024 4:59:34 PM PST by yldstrk
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: DallasBiff

“Texting is an addiction.”

After a 4 year break after a heart attack, I started back in the gym a few months ago. I had not previously been this exposed to the phone addiction. I looked around the gym a few days ago and every other person in the gym, about 10 people, was looking at their phones. No one was actually doing a single rep. It’s crazy. What drives me flat up the wall is that this is a small, local gym with limited equipment. People will look at their phones between sets and I swear lose all rack of time and sit there for 20 minutes.


33 posted on 02/10/2024 5:39:36 PM PST by suthener
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: zoomie92

Don’t know if that’s a dis-barrable offense, but she did fail as an officer of the court, so some kind of sanction seems in order. Suspension, or a fine, something, at least to encourage the others.


34 posted on 02/11/2024 9:15:26 AM PST by jocon307
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Gaffer

Why should the prosecution be sanctioned. She was in favor of the defense.

“saying the prosecutor was “sweating through his coat,” according to Justice 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.”


35 posted on 02/11/2024 4:44:58 PM PST by Help!
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Help!

I guess I read that wrongly. But to me with the texts, etc. there must be some association between the defense attorney and the judge that isn’t appropriate. I’d still say mistrial, though


36 posted on 02/11/2024 5:09:14 PM PST by Gaffer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-36 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson