Oklahoma Judge Faces Removal for Texting During Murder Trial

A suspended judge in Oklahoma, Traci Soderstrom, may face permanent removal from the bench after an investigation revealed over 500 text messages between her and a bailiff, in which they allegedly mocked a district attorney's appearance, expressed bias against state prosecutors, and showed favoritism towards a defendant in a murder trial. The petition filed by Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice John Kane argued that Soderstrom should be disqualified from holding any judicial office due to gross neglect of duty, gross partiality, and oppression in office. The judge was also captured on camera scrolling through Facebook and using phone applications during the trial. The Court on the Judiciary will decide whether to remove her from the bench.