In a shocking turn of events, an Oklahoma judge has agreed to step down from her position after being caught sending hundreds of texts from the bench while overseeing a murder trial. District Judge Traci Soderstrom's messages were not only mocking prosecutors but also included emojis, raising concerns about her professional conduct.

Under a proposed settlement agreement filed with the Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary, Soderstrom has also agreed to not seek judicial office again in the state. The agreement comes after she faced accusations of gross neglect of duty, oppression in office, lack of proper temperament, and failure to supervise her office.

Initially scheduled to go on trial in a special court starting Monday, Soderstrom is now facing the consequences of her actions. Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice John Kane IV had recommended her removal following an investigation that uncovered her mockery of prosecutors, inappropriate comments, and lack of professionalism during the murder trial of Khristian Tyler Martzall, who was charged with killing his girlfriend's 2-year-old son.

Security footage, published by The Oklahoman, exposed Soderstrom spending significant amounts of time texting or messaging during important parts of the trial, such as jury selection, opening statements, and testimony. Over 500 texts were sent by Soderstrom to her bailiff during Martzall's trial, offering a glimpse into her unprofessional behavior.

Among the incriminating texts, Soderstrom described the prosecutor as "sweating through his coat" and referred to the defense attorney as "awesome." She even questioned whether she could clap for the defense attorney during their opening arguments. Additionally, she sent a laughing emoji to the bailiff after he made a derogatory and inappropriate comment about the prosecuting attorneys' genitals.

This misconduct has raised concerns about the integrity of the trial and the impartiality of the judge. Fortunately, Martzall was eventually convicted of second-degree manslaughter and sentenced to time served, but the impact of Soderstrom's actions on the justice system cannot be ignored.

As a result of the settlement agreement, Soderstrom's tenure as a district judge has come to an end, and she will not be able to seek judicial office in Oklahoma again. This case serves as a reminder that judges must uphold the highest standards of professionalism and fairness in their courtroom conduct, ensuring that justice is served without any compromises.