Judge accused of scrolling on her phone for ‘hours’ during trial of murdered 2-year-old boy — including when mother cried on stand
An Oklahoma judge was caught on video consistently using her phone during the trial of a murdered 2-year-old, as his mother cried on the stand testifying against her boyfriend.
Oklahoma District 23 Judge Traci Soderstrom has been accused of scrolling through social media, texting and even searching for a GIF during a trial last month, according to a courtroom surveillance video obtained by The Oklahoman.
Throughout the 50-minute-long video, Soderstrom holds her phone below the judge’s bench, texting or scrolling through Facebook, every once in a while jotting down notes while her phone remains lit on her lap.
At one point, Judith Danker, the woman testifying, reaches for a tissue to wipe her tears and blow her nose as the judge glances over at her and then back down to her phone to answer a text.
Soderstrom had ordered the jury to turn off their electronics so they could focus on the evidence shared during the June 12 court proceedings.
