Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Oklahoma Judge Caught On Video Texting And Scrolling Through Facebook During Murder Trial

Judge Traci Soderstrom on her phone
@TheOklahoman_/Twitter

Lincoln County District Judge Traci Soderstrom is under investigation after security camera video caught her using her cellphone throughout a recent murder trial.

An Oklahoma judge is under fire after being caught doing what many people do at their jobs from time to time—scrolling social media instead of working.

The only problem is, she was doing it in the middle of a harrowing murder trial. 


Lincoln County, Oklahoma District Judge Traci Soderstrom is now under an ethics investigation after repeatedly getting caught scrolling Facebook and sending texts instead of paying attention the trial over which she was presiding.

And it wasn't just a one-time mistake, either. Soderstrom was observed scrolling during multiple stages of the trial, including during jury selection, opening statements and testimony.

The trial centered on Khristian Tyler Martzall—accused of first-degree murder for beating two-year-old Braxton Danker to death—who was eventually convicted of second-degree manslaughter.

Cameras were placed in the courtroom for security purposes due to the serious nature of the accusations against Martzall. They ended up blowing Soderstrom's cover after District Attorney Adam Panter viewed the footage and then sent it to the Oklahoma Council on Judicial Complaints following a tip from a member of the courthouse staff.

He says he found Soderstrom "spent hours of the trial" fiddling around on her phone, including searching for GIFs at one point.

Panter told The Oklahoman newspaper:

“It is both shocking and disappointing. Jurors are banned from using cellphones in the courtroom during trials because we expect them to give their full time and attention to the evidence being presented."
"I would expect and hope the court would hold itself to the same standard required of the jurors, regardless of the type of case."

On social media, the news about Soderstrom's phone usage during the trial sparked outrage and calls for her recall.







Soderstrom is only in her first term as a District Judge.

She was elected last November and began her term in January, which expires in 2027. She reportedly repositioned the camera above her bench so her activities cannot be captured.

More from Trending

Country Singer Gavin Adcock went on a drunken rant over Beyonce's "Cowboy Carter" success.
Danielle Del Valle/Getty Images; Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Country singer rants over Beyoncé album

Country singer Gavin Adcock became the title of his next album, “Own Worst Enemy,” after going on an unhinged rant about the legitimacy of Beyoncé's Grammy-winning and record-breaking Cowboy Carter in the country music genre.

Adcock, whose upcoming album is set for release next month, was filmed during a live performance last weekend, complaining that Beyoncé and her album are not “country music.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Dionne Warwick; Tiny Chef
Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images; @ToonHive/X

Dionne Warwick Is Ready To Go To War With Nickelodeon Over 'Tiny Chef' Cancellation

You know your campaign against a show's cancellation is achieving widespread attention when you get people like venerated singer Dionne Warwick advocating for you.

Nickelodeon's The Tiny Chef Show was recently cancelled, much to the dismay of its viewers and creators. It was also a genuinely surprising decision, since the show has won an Emmy.

Keep ReadingShow less
Woman relaxing in sunhat and sunglasses
Photo by Jordan Bauer on Unsplash

People Explain Which 'Small Luxuries' They Can't Live Without

Many of us have committed to being fairly financially frugal and not overspending on silly, unnecessary things.

That is to say, sometimes, it's fun to splurge on something one time to see what it's like to experience that small luxury.

Keep ReadingShow less
two women in emotional distress seated on couch
Ben White on Unsplash

People Who've Experienced Grief Share The Most Tone-Deaf Things They've Heard

Grief, loss, trauma are all part of life. But for most people, the emotions and reactions that go with them are difficult to witness.

So they rely on platitudes to fill any holes in conversation. That's rarely a good idea.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
Mehmet Eser/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Trump Demands 'Boss Of AT&T' Fix Equipment After Failed Conference Call In Bizarre Meltdown

When most of us have technical difficulties, we contact tech support or customer service.

But if you're President of the United States, just ranting on social media—then having your White House Press Secretary post a screenshot of your post on a social media platform people actually use—is apparently the answer.

Keep ReadingShow less