Courts

Judge Who Texted Wild Commentary During Murder Trial Resigns From Bench

She didn't really have the right temperament for the judiciary.

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texting iPhone imessage textsOklahoma Judge Traci Soderstrom is a judge no more. And with good reason. Last year, Soderstrom made news over reports she was busy texting and scrolling social media during a murder trial. Of a toddler. If ever there were a time to rise to the solemnness of a moment, you’d think this would be it.

Soderstrom reportedly texted with court staff about the trial — giving color commentary like she’s Howard Cosell. She described the prosecutor as “sweating through his coat” and asking “why does he have baby hands?” She also called the defense attorney “awesome” and asked “can I clap for her?” in the text messages. She went on to call a police officer taking the stand “pretty,” adding, “I could look at him all day.” And when the mother of the victim took the stand, Soderstrom texted, “Can I please scream ‘liar, liar?’”

The chief justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court recommended the removal of Soderstrom, but it won’t have to come to that. Late last week, Soderstrom resigned her position and has agreed not to seek a judicial position in the state again.

In her resignation statement, Soderstrom writes:

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

The statment contains no admission of wrongdoing, and instead points the finger at “shocking” behavior of others “behind the closed veil of the judiciary.” The behavior she alleges includes “Manipulating the jury selection process, holding citizens without lawful authority, secret tape recordings of judicial officers, and even false threats of criminal prosecution are a small example.” I guess if you can’t defend your behavior, best to distract.

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Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @Kathryn1@mastodon.social.

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