Okla. Judge Who Sent 500 Texts During Trial for 2-Year-Old's Murder Might Lose Job

Judge Traci Soderstrom was caught on camera scrolling through her phone during a June trial

An Oklahoma judge who was caught on camera texting and scrolling through Facebook repeatedly during a murder trial for the killing of a 2-year-old boy could lose her job.

After an investigation into her phone usage by the state Council on Judicial Complaints, the chief justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court filed a petition recommending the removal of Lincoln County District Judge Traci Soderstrom, according to the Associated Press.

Soderstrom was sworn in as a judge in January. In July, The Oklahoman published a video of Soderstrom appearing to use her phone for minutes at a time during jury selection, opening statements and key testimony.

According to Chief Justice M. John Kane IV’s petition, obtained by the AP, News 9 and NBC News, among others, Soderstrom sent more than 500 texts to the court bailiff during the trial, which included demeaning remarks about the prosecutor and even accused the victim’s mother of lying.

The June trial was for the 2018 death of toddler Braxton Danker. The trial ended with a second-degree manslaughter conviction for Khristian Tyler Martzall, who beat the child to death. Martzall was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

The AP reported that Kane wrote that Soderstrom’s actions showed neglect and warranted her removal from the bench.

“The pattern of conduct demonstrates Respondent’s (Soderstrom’s) gross neglect of duty, gross partiality and oppression,” Kane wrote. “The conduct further demonstrates Respondent’s (Soderstrom’s) lack of temperament to serve as a judge.”

Related: Footage Shows Okla. Judge Texting, Scrolling Through Facebook During 2-Year-Old’s Murder Trial

According to the petition, the bailiff made a “crass” remark about the prosecutor’s genitalia, to which Soderstrom reportedly responded with a laughing emoji.

“It is both shocking and disappointing,” District Attorney Adam Panter told The Oklahoman after the newspaper published the video showing Soderstrom’s phone use. “Jurors are banned from using cellphones in the courtroom during trials because we expect them to give their full time and attention to the evidence being presented. I would expect and hope the court would hold itself to the same standard required of the jurors, regardless of the type of case.”

The AP reported that Soderstrom is suspended with pay and her removal will be determined by a hearing by the Court on the Judiciary.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.