Oklahoma judge resigns after accused of sending hundreds of texts during murder trial
NBC News- 484 views
- 12 Feb 2024
Authorities said video from a courtroom camera shows former judge Traci Soderstrom on her phone during a murder trial, texting ...
It's the video evidence from a courtroom camera. Authorities say captures former Judge Tracey Soderstrom on her phone mid-murder trial, texting and scrolling social media.
There were some things that I did inappropriately.
That admission coming Thursday after Soderstrom announced her resignation, following an investigation accusing her of gross neglective duty and partiality in office. A judicial conduct complaint against Soderstrom states over the course of a murder trial involving the death of a two-year cold, the newly elected judge texted her bailiff more than 500 times, mocking the physical appearance of attorneys, jurors, and witnesses.
I texted during a trial, and that was inappropriate. The content I I am not agreeing to because it doesn't matter.
But the complaint cites messages that allegedly show Saterström was no longer impartial. At one point, Saterström calling a prosecutor Gross and a horrible speaker, while praising the defense attorney, texting her bailiff, Can I clap for her? During testimony, texting the state, just couldn't accept that a mom could kill her kid, so they went after the next person available, adding, Can I please scream, Liar, liar. Evidence Saterström still denies played a role during the trial.
I didn't make up my mind. Even if I had, it wouldn't have mattered because I was not the fact finder.
Mid-trial comments went further. Saderstrom allegedly calling a testifying officer, Pretty, saying she look at him all day. Authorities tell NBC News the bailiff is no longer a county employee. Meanwhile, Soderström has agreed to never seek any state judicial position ever again. Morgan Chesky, NBC News.
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