‘Just Another Insult On Top Of Injury’: Family Speaks Out After Sentencing In Case Of 2-Year-Old’s Death

Braxton Danker died on Mother's Day in 2018. He was just two years old. 

Five years later, the man accused of killing the toddler went to court in a 7-day murder trial. Prosecutors asked jurors to find Khristian Tyler Martzall guilty in the death of Braxton. The trial ended in a second-degree manslaughter conviction.

David Nelson says his grandson, Braxton, never had a chance. 

"We never really got to spend time with him. I never got to throw a baseball. I never got to go fishing," said Nelson. 

Martzall was sentenced to four years in the Department of Corrections, with credit for time already served.

"For him to be out on time served. And we hear now he has been served now with another protection order," said Nelson.

Another red flag raised by this family came a month after the trial when a news outlet, The Oklahoman, released a video of the judge using her phone during the trial.

"She didn't really hear the mother's testimony about how bad it really was," said Nelson.

In the 51-minute video, you can Judge Traci Soderstrom texting and messaging and scrolling Facebook for minutes at a time. This happens during jury selection, opening statements, and testimony. 

The Oklahoman reports in the video, you can hear Judge Soderstrom asking the jury to power off their phones to "allow you to concentrate on the evidence without interruption." 

The family plans to file a complaint against the judge.

"I just broke down. Me and my wife both did. It's just another insult on top of injury," said Nelson.  

According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's office, the Oklahoma Council of Judicial Complaints is investigating. Their office says they cannot comment.

The judge and the judge's attorney did not respond to an interview request.

News 9 reached out to the Lincoln County DA, Adam Panter, but he has not gotten back. When this occurred in 2018, he told News 9 that this is the worst abuse and neglect he's seen.