A judge is on the verge of stepping down from his position following a scathing judicial report that accused him of frequently wearing an Elvis Presley wig in court and playing the singer’s music during legal proceedings.
Matthew E.P. Thornhill, a circuit judge in St. Charles County, Missouri, has reached an agreement with the state disciplinary board that involves a six-month suspension without pay, followed by a return for 18 months, and ultimately his resignation, as per court records.
The Missouri Commission on Retirement, Removal, and Discipline of Judges stated that Thornhill consistently failed to maintain courtroom decorum. The report highlighted instances where he wore an Elvis wig during official duties, allowed litigants to choose their swearing-in methods, which at times involved a Presley song from his phone, and recited unrelated Elvis lyrics during hearings.
The proposal for his exit is currently under review by the Missouri Supreme Court, which recently received 35 letters praising his character, in contrast to the commission’s report detailing his behavior.
Investigators mentioned that Thornhill disregarded the dignity of the courtroom by wearing an Elvis Presley wig during official proceedings around October 31. He was also accused of letting litigants pick Presley tracks for swearing-in ceremonies and reciting singer lyrics unrelated to the cases at hand, leaving attendees puzzled.
Additionally, the commission alleged that Thornhill engaged in improper political activities by mentioning his political affiliation from the bench and discussing the placement of his campaign signs during court sessions. He also provided a personal reference for another judge in a juvenile adoption case, which is against the rules for sitting judges.
In a letter to the state’s highest court dated November 12, Thornhill admitted the allegations were largely accurate and acknowledged that disciplinary officials could substantiate them. He expressed regret for potentially affecting the integrity of the proceedings with his actions and assured his commitment to serving the people of Missouri honorably in the future.
Thornhill, the longest-serving circuit judge in St. Charles County, is described in his court biography as someone who enjoys Elvis, surfing, gardening, watching soccer, playing golf with his children, and running with his dog on the Katy Trail.