An Oklahoma judge agreed Friday to step down after she was caught sending hundreds of text messages from the bench while overseeing a murder trial, including messages that mocked prosectors and were sprinkled with emojis. District Judge Traci Soderstrom also agreed not to seek judicial office again in Oklahoma under the proposed settlement agreement. She had faced removal from the bench over accusations that included gross neglect of duty, oppression in office, lack of proper temperament, and failure to supervise her office. Security video showed Soderstrom texting during jury selection, opening statements, and testimony during the trial. In all, Soderstrom sent more than 500 texts to her bailiff. Soderstrom had been scheduled to go on trial in a special court starting Monday.
