In a shocking revelation, Lincoln County District Judge Traci Soderstrom is currently under investigation after a video surfaced last week, capturing her engaging in inappropriate cell phone use during a recent murder trial. The trial, which involved the heinous killing of a 2-year-old boy, Braxton Danker, concluded with a second-degree manslaughter conviction for Khristian Tyler Martzall, the perpetrator responsible for the toddler’s tragic death.
The damning video, released by The Oklahoman, portrays Judge Soderstrom using her phone for extended periods during critical stages of the trial. From jury selection to opening statements and crucial testimonies, Soderstrom was seen texting and scrolling through Facebook, raising concerns about her attention and impartiality throughout the proceedings.
District Attorney Adam Panter expressed his shock and disappointment, emphasizing the strict prohibition of cell phone use for jurors during trials to ensure their undivided attention to the evidence presented. He insisted that the court should uphold the same standard, regardless of the case’s nature. Upon reviewing the footage, Panter revealed that Judge Soderstrom was observed using her phone for “hours of the trial.”
The video captured a deeply disturbing moment when Soderstrom was texting while Judith Danker, the grieving mother of the deceased toddler, was on the witness stand. Messages exchanged between the judge and an unidentified recipient, including a moving GIF, were visibly displayed on her phone. Furthermore, Soderstrom was seen searching for another GIF while another witness testified.
Soderstrom, who was sworn in on January 9 after being elected to preside over the court in Chandler, Oklahoma, last November, is now the subject of an investigation by the Oklahoma Council on Judicial Complaints. The scrutiny stems from concerns that her actions may have compromised the public’s confidence in the judiciary, which is expressly prohibited by the state’s code of judicial conduct, to which all judges in Oklahoma are bound.
Sgt. Aaron Bennett, spokesperson for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed the ongoing investigation but declined to release the video, citing the need to maintain the integrity of the process. The manner in which The Oklahoman obtained the surveillance footage remains undisclosed, as it was not through the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
Witnesses and court personnel who were present during the trial claimed they were unaware of Soderstrom’s cell phone usage, as she cleverly concealed it under her bench. Ironically, the judge commenced the trial by instructing the jury to turn off their electronic devices to concentrate fully on the presented evidence.
This incident has cast a shadow of doubt over the integrity of the legal proceedings and has raised questions about the need for stricter adherence to ethical conduct within the judiciary. As the investigation unfolds, the public eagerly awaits the Council on Judicial Complaints’ findings and actions to address this concerning breach of judicial decorum and responsibility.
