Judge Matthew EP Thornhill of St. Charles County, Missouri, recently resigned following disciplinary action related to his behavior in court. The Missouri Commission on Retirement, Removal and Discipline of Judges cited multiple incidents where Thornhill wore an Elvis Presley wig and referenced the singer during court proceedings. He is known as a long-time Elvis enthusiast, having visited Graceland numerous times and expressed a lifelong admiration for the artist.
The commission’s report outlines that Thornhill made frequent references to Elvis, including mentioning his birth and death dates and occasionally playing his music during court sessions. He also made the wig a feature of his attire, particularly around Halloween, which raised concerns about the impact on the proceedings’ integrity and decorum. In his letter to the Missouri Supreme Court, Thornhill admitted that his actions could undermine the seriousness of the court.
In addition to his Elvis-related conduct, the report pointed out other misconduct, including discussing his political affiliations from the bench and promoting his own electoral campaign. The commission concluded that Thornhill failed to maintain order in the courtroom and recommended a six-month suspension without pay, followed by 18 months of supervised service prior to retirement.
In his November 12 letter, Thornhill acknowledged the allegations as “substantially accurate” and expressed regret for his actions. He agreed to the terms laid out by the commission, enabling him to retire after two decades on the bench. The situation highlights the importance of maintaining professionalism within the judicial system while addressing personal interests.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yq3g7lqgqo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss