Oklahoma judge who was caught sending more than 500 TEXTS during murder trial of two-year-old boyi

An Oklahoma judge who was caught scrolling on her phone during a murder trial of a man accused of beating his two-year-old son to death has resigned.

Judge Traci Soderstrom from Lincoln County District stepped down on Friday after being investigated for inappropriate and insensitive behavior during a murder trial. 

Soderstrom was caught sending more than 500 texts and scrolling through Facebook during jury selection, opening statements and testimony in the trial for a man charged with the fatal beating of his girlfriend's son.

Khristian Tyler Martzall was convicted for second-degree manslaughter for the 2018 death of Braxton Danker. 

The toddler was found by Lincoln County officials with injuries all over his body, including broken bones and open wounds.

Judge Traci Soderstrom from Lincoln County District stepped down on Friday after being investigated for inappropriate and insensitive behavior during a murder trial

Soderstrom was caught sending more than 500 texts and scrolling through Facebook during jury selection, opening statements and testimony in the trial for a man charged with the fatal beating of his girlfriend's son

Khristian Tyler Martzall was convicted for second-degree manslaughter for in the 2018 death of Braxton Danker

Braxton's mother Judith Danker, who testified at Martzall's hearing, took a plea deal in 2019 after being accused of murder and was sentenced to 25 years in prison for enabling or permitting child abuse.

While Danker tearfully speaks in the stand, the Lincoln County District judge can be seen scrolling on her phone. 

When Danker reaches for a tissue to wipe her eyes and blow her nose, the judge momentarily glances over before looking back down at her phone. 

A petition was filed in October that cited text messages sent by Soderstrom, in which she made fun of attorneys, jurors and witnesses.

The filing said Soderstrom demonstrated a dislike for state prosecutors and appeared to favor the defendant - even complimenting the defense attorney.

Accusations against the judge include gross neglect of duty, gross partiality in office and oppression in office, the filing states. 

'I promised to ensure the law and procedures were applied equally to Plaintiff and Defendant alike,' Soderstrom said in the resignation statement released by her attorney. 

'In spite of resistance at nearly every turn, I believe that I have done so. However, being human, I have also faltered.' 

The Council found that Sonderstrom and the courtroom bailiff had a texting conversation throughout the trial, mocking a prosecutor's appearance and praising a defense attorney's comments. 

Some of the inappropriate texts said that the district attorney was 'sweating through his coat.'

Another text said 'why does he have baby hands? ... They are so weird looking.' 

The toddler was found by Lincoln County officials with injuries all over his body, including broken bones and open wounds

Judith Danker (pictured) took a plea deal in 2019 and was sentenced to 25 years in prison for enabling or permitting child abuse

In text messages praising the defense attorney, Sordstrom said, 'She's awesome,' and even asked, 'Can I clap for her?'

Sordstrom horrifically called one of the videos played by the witness 'boring' and speculated that a juror was wearing a wig. 

She said in a text that because of a lack of DNA evidence there would be 'no way they get guilty on murder.'

Sordstrom didn't admit any wrongdoing and released a statement saying she intended to take the allegations to trial but changed her mind. 

'My core beliefs and the variables that served me well as an attorney – honesty, preparation, principles and passion – are better utilized as an advocate and not as an arbiter,' she wrote. 

'The actions necessary to disseminate the information and required to hold each person and elected official accountable for their actions require more than a trial before the Judiciary.'

Sordstrom agreed to not seek another judicial position in Oklahoma.  

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