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OKLAHOMA CITY — An Oklahoma decide who despatched greater than 500 texts to her bailiff throughout a homicide trial will resign, in accordance with a courtroom submitting.
In a proposed settlement settlement filed Thursday with the Oklahoma Court docket on the Judiciary, District Choose Traci Soderstrom agreed to resign on Friday and by no means once more search a judicial workplace in Oklahoma.
If accepted, the settlement would cease a trial scheduled to start out Monday on a request to take away Soderstrom from the bench for causes that embody gross neglect of obligation, oppression in workplace, lack of correct temperament and failure to oversee her workplace.
Oklahoma Supreme Court docket Chief Justice John Kane IV really helpful Soderstrom be eliminated following an investigation that discovered she mocked prosecutors, laughed on the bailiff’s remark a couple of prosecutor’s genitals, praised the protection lawyer and known as the prosecutor’s key witness a liar throughout the homicide trial of Khristian Tyler Martzall.
Soderstrom, who was elected in November 2022 and took workplace on Jan. 9, 2023, voluntarily suspended herself in October.
Soderstrom’s resignation letter, given to native media, stated she hoped to revive religion within the judicial system.
“I promised to uphold the Structure in a good, even-handed and environment friendly method,” Soderstrom stated. “I consider that I’ve carried out so. Nevertheless, being human, I’ve additionally faltered.”
The decide’s texts throughout Martzall’s trial on a cost of killing his girlfriend’s 2-year-old son included saying the prosecutor was “sweating by way of his coat,” in accordance with Kane’s petition. The texts described the protection lawyer as “superior” and requested “can I clap for her?” throughout the protection lawyer’s opening arguments.
Soderstrom additionally texted a laughing emoji icon to the bailiff, who had “made a crass and demeaning reference to the prosecuting attorneys’ genitals,” Kane wrote.
Martzall was finally convicted of second-degree manslaughter and sentenced to time served.
Safety video revealed by The Oklahoman confirmed Soderstrom texting or messaging for minutes at a time throughout jury choice, opening statements and testimony throughout the trial in Chandler, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) northeast of Oklahoma Metropolis.
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