"Prosecutor Sweats Excessively"… US Judge Sends 500 Texts During Trial

A judge in the United States who exchanged as many as 500 text messages mocking participants during a murder trial has ultimately resigned.

On the 9th (local time), US CNN reported that Tracy Soderstrom, a district judge in Lincoln County, Oklahoma, decided to resign. Originally, Judge Soderstrom’s term was set to last until January 2027, but amid a flood of petitions demanding her resignation, she reached an agreement with the state government to step down early.

Judge Tracy Soderstrom handling a cellphone during a trial held last year at the Lincoln County District Court in Oklahoma, USA. [Image source=The Oklahoma YouTube]

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The controversy arose during a trial last July. At that time, Judge Soderstrom was presiding over a case involving a man charged with causing the death of his girlfriend’s 2-year-old son in 2018. It was reported that Judge Soderstrom was distracted during the trial, including using her cellphone.

On social media, a closed-circuit television (CCTV) video lasting about 50 minutes showing the situation was circulated. The footage clearly captured Judge Soderstrom looking down and handling her smartphone under the desk.

CNN cited the contents of the resignation petition against Judge Soderstrom, stating that she did not properly engage in the trial process. The petition included claims such as "the judge sent text messages mocking lawyers, jurors, and witnesses" and "showed biased attitudes." Judge Soderstrom even complained about the prosecutor in the trial, saying he "sweats too much."

As these details became public, criticism poured in against Judge Soderstrom. Adam Panter, a local prosecutor, said, "This is shocking and disappointing," and strongly criticized, "Jurors are prohibited from using cellphones in court during trials, and I hope the court applies the same standards to judges as it does to jurors."

Ultimately, Judge Soderstrom decided to step down from her judgeship. However, she plans to continue working as a lawyer. In a statement, she explained, "My core beliefs, honesty, preparedness, principles, and passion will be better utilized as a lawyer rather than as a judge," adding, "Spreading information and holding individuals or elected officials accountable for their actions requires more than just judicial trials."

CNN reported that the resignation agreement between the state government and Judge Soderstrom did not include any acknowledgment of wrongdoing on her part, nor did it prevent her from running for public office in the future.

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