People are addicted to their cell phones, with no end in sight for the obsession. States have passed laws requiring calls to be hands free and prohibited texting while driving, and schools have rules in place to control when and where a student may access his phone. They are frequently prohibited in various medical settings, and businesses advertise that they won’t take your order or assist you unless you have ended your phone call.
That,
however, is not the case for now former district court judge Traci Soderstrom
of Oklahoma. During a murder trial where the defendant was charged with killing
a two-year-old boy, Soderstrom sent over 500 texts to her bailiff commenting
about the attorneys and witnesses in the case (both negative, positive and some
outright disturbing). She texted that the prosecutor’s witness was a liar and
she wanted to clap for the defense attorney. This was done during jury
selection, witness testimony and opening statements. Courtroom cameras clearly
show her on the bench looking at and holding her cell phone.
Ultimately,
the defendant was found guilty of second-degree manslaughter and given a
sentence of time served. While everyone is guilty of not paying attention at
times, one wonders how legitimate and trustworthy are the court proceedings in
the case, or any other case Soderstrom presided over? Was the judge preoccupied
with her phone when an objection was made? Did it lead to inaccurate rulings?
The texts themselves clearly show a lot more than the appearance of
impropriety.
Her behavior
may lead to questioning all other hearings that were in front of her, and
possibly reopening matters that were considered resolved. Soderstrom resigned
in February 2024, stating “I promised to uphold the Constitution in a fair,
even-handed and efficient manner. I believe that I have done so. However, being
human, I have also faltered.” Indeed, we are all human, but her behavior is
more than a falter – it’s unconscionable.
