A judge in St. Charles County, Missouri, is facing an exit from the bench following a scathing judicial report that accused him of frequently wearing an Elvis Presley wig in court and playing the singer’s songs during legal proceedings. Matthew E.P. Thornhill, a circuit judge, has agreed to a disciplinary deal that includes a six-month suspension without pay, followed by 18 months of work, and then his resignation, as per court documents.
According to Missouri’s Commission on Retirement, Removal and Discipline of Judges, Thornhill repeatedly failed to maintain proper courtroom decorum. The report highlighted instances where he wore an Elvis wig, allowed litigants to choose how they wanted to be sworn in, including picking a Presley track for the oath, and recited unrelated Elvis lyrics during hearings.
The proposal for his departure is currently under review by the Missouri Supreme Court, which recently received 35 letters praising Thornhill’s character, contrasting sharply with the commission’s findings of his misconduct.
Investigators detailed that Thornhill compromised the dignity of the courtroom by donning an Elvis wig during official proceedings and allowing litigants to select unconventional swearing-in methods, such as choosing Presley songs. He was also accused of reciting unrelated lyrics by the singer, leaving attendees bewildered.
Moreover, the commission alleged that Thornhill engaged in improper political activities by discussing his political affiliation in court and mentioning his campaign signs during hearings. In another violation, he provided a personal reference for another judge in a juvenile adoption case, which is prohibited for sitting judges.
In a letter to the state’s highest court, Thornhill admitted the allegations were substantially true, expressing regret for the impact his actions had on the court’s integrity. He acknowledged the need to uphold the solemnity of legal proceedings and pledged to serve the people of Missouri with honor and dignity in the future.
Thornhill, the longest-serving circuit judge in St. Charles County, is known for his love of Elvis, surfing, gardening, soccer, golfing with his children, and running with his dog on the Katy Trail, as stated in his court biography.