Oklahoma Judge Scrolling Social Media During Murder Trial

An Oklahoma judge is currently under investigation by a state ethics panel after a video showed her scrolling through social media and texting during a murder trial. It was her first trial as a presiding judge, involving a man accused of fatally beating a 2-year-old. The footage captured her using her phone for extended periods during jury selection, opening statements, and witness testimony.

Despite instructing jurors to turn off electronic devices for better concentration on evidence, Judge Traci Soderstrom was seen tapping away on her phone while the child’s mother tearfully testified.

The accused, Khristian Tyler Martzall, received a conviction of second-degree manslaughter after a seven-day trial, despite prosecutors seeking a first-degree murder charge.

A local news outlet obtained the video, which the sheriff’s office provided to the Oklahoma Council on Judicial Complaints for investigation. District Attorney Adam Panter expressed shock and disappointment, emphasizing that jurors should not use cellphones during trials to ensure their full attention to the evidence.

Khristian Tyler Martzall, 32, was convicted of fatally beating his girlfriend’s toddler, Braxton Danker, shown in the center. The child’s mother, Judith Danker, was also charged but took a plea deal. (Facebook/Lincoln County Jail)

The court’s administrative director stated that judges must abide by the Code of Judicial Conduct, which focuses on maintaining public confidence. However, the code does not specifically mention cellphone use, leaving room for interpretation and potential concerns about impartiality during court proceedings.

This article is sourced from Fox News.