A judge in Missouri, known for his unique courtroom antics involving Elvis Presley impersonations, is facing a shortened judicial career. Judge Matthew Thornhill, based in suburban St. Louis, is set to undergo a six-month suspension without pay following an agreement with a state disciplinary board, which allows him to bypass a formal hearing. Post-suspension, he plans to serve an additional 18 months before voluntarily stepping down from the St. Charles County Circuit Court.
The arrangement, which awaits approval from the Missouri Supreme Court, was disclosed by court spokeswoman Beth Riggert. The court has agreed to consider 35 letters vouching for Thornhill’s character. Thornhill expressed that his intentions were to “add levity at times when I thought it would help relax litigants,” but acknowledged, “I now recognize that this could affect the integrity and solemnity of the proceedings.”
The initial complaint remains unnamed in online court records, and Thornhill’s attorney, Neil Bruntrager, did not respond to a request for comment. The Commission on Retirement, Removal and Discipline highlighted Thornhill’s courtroom conduct, particularly his penchant for the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” which included donning an Elvis wig and playing Elvis music during proceedings. Additionally, the judge was noted for discussing politics from the bench.
Thornhill’s Elvis impersonations were a regular feature around Halloween, where he would even offer unique swearing-in options accompanied by Elvis tunes. He occasionally entered the courtroom to the sound of Presley’s music, as documented in court records. The commission found these actions to contravene rules mandating judicial “order and decorum” and public confidence in judicial integrity.
The judge, who has been a longstanding figure in St. Charles County, holds a history of disciplinary action. In 2008, he faced a $750 fine for an ethical breach involving the reduction of charges in exchange for a baseball, which turned out to be counterfeit. More recently, Thornhill was criticized for making political references during court sessions, including comments on campaign signage and political affiliations.
Additional scrutiny arose when Thornhill provided a character reference in an adoption case, which was deemed an improper use of his judicial position. He conceded that this action was “a mistake and improper.” Thornhill maintains that his political remarks were part of informal conversations and did not influence his judicial decisions.
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