An Oklahoma judge who sent more than 500 text messages and emojis from the bench during a murder trial has agreed to resign.
Traci Soderstrom, a district judge for Lincoln and Pottawatomie counties, sparked outrage in July 2023 after she was caught on camera exchanging messages during the trial of a man accused of fatally beating a 2-year-old in 2018.
Soderstrom, who took office last year after receiving 48% of the vote in 2022, allegedly sent several messages to bailiff Angela Miller in which she appeared to make fun of both prosecutors and witnesses.
The controversy made national news last year after security video published by The Oklahoman showed the judge scrolling through her messages for minutes at a time during jury selection, opening statements and testimonies.
An investigation later found Soderstrom’s text messages appeared to mock the prosecutor — who she said was “sweating through his coat” — and praise the “awesome” defense attorney.
In October, the chief justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court recommended Soderstrom’s removal. She had voluntarily suspended herself and was set to go on trial in a special court starting next week, but on Friday she announced she would resign from her position.
“When I took the judicial oath on January 9th, 2023, I promised to uphold the Constitution in a fair, even-handed and efficient manner. I promised to ensure the law and procedures were applied equally to Plaintiff and Defendant alike,” her resignation letter read in part.
“In spite of resistance at nearly every turn, I believe that I have done so. However, being human, I have also faltered,” she added.
Her resignation means Soderstrom has agreed she would not seek judicial office again in the state.
With New Wire Services
