Oklahoma Judge Faces Removal for Sending 500 Texts During Murder Trial

An Oklahoma judge, Traci Soderstrom, may face removal from her position after sending over 500 texts to her bailiff during a murder trial, including messages mocking the prosecutor, praising the defense attorney, and calling a key witness a liar. The chief justice of the Oklahoma supreme court has recommended her removal, citing gross neglect of duty, gross partiality, and oppression. Soderstrom was caught on camera scrolling social media and texting during the trial, and her texts included inappropriate comments about the trial participants. The judge's term ends in January 2027.