A Missouri judge known for his unique courtroom antics, including donning Elvis Presley wigs and playing the music of the legendary rock star, has decided to step down from his judicial role.
Judge Matthew Thornhill explained his actions by stating his intention was to “add levity at times when I thought it would help relax litigants.” However, he acknowledged that such behavior might undermine the “integrity and solemnity of the proceedings.”
In a move to avoid formal disciplinary action, Judge Thornhill, who serves in St. Louis, has agreed to an arrangement with a state board. This deal involves a six-month unpaid leave, after which he will return to the bench for 18 months before resigning ahead of schedule.
The state’s Commission on Retirement, Removal, and Discipline highlighted Thornhill’s fondness for emulating the king of rock ‘n’ roll. Their report included images of Thornhill in an Elvis wig and sunglasses, posing with court staff.
Additionally, the report criticized Thornhill for discussing politics during court sessions, including revealing his party affiliation and his preferred political candidates.
The report also mentions Thornhill bringing up politics while on the bench, including saying his party affiliation and which candidates he prefers.
It says that Thornhill regularly wore the wig around Halloween, sometimes walked into the courtroom while playing Elvis’ music and sometimes offered litigants the option to be sworn in while he played his music on his phone.
He would also allegedly make random references to Elvis during court proceedings at times.
The commission found his Elvis antics violated rules for “order and decorum” and to “promote confidence in the integrity of the judiciary” while in the courtroom.
Document showing Judge Matthew Thornhill dressed as Elvis in front of a cardboard cutout of Elvis and a poster of him. (Missouri Supreme Court)
The agreement is pending before the Missouri Supreme Court, which has accepted 35 character references for Thornhill.
Thornhill was elected associate circuit judge in 2006, where he served for 18 years, and in 2024 he was elected Circuit Judge in Division 4, and is the longest serving judge in the county, according to the St. Charles County Circuit Court website.
He’s presided over 25 jury trials and thousands of bench trials during his career.
Thornhill writes in his biography on the court’s website that he loves Elvis. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
His biography adds that he “loves Elvis, surfing, gardening, watching soccer, golfing with his children, and running with his dog on the Katy Trail.”
Thornhill was also reprimanded and fined $750 in 2008, after he reduced the charges for a woman after she offered him a baseball signed by Pro Football Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw that turned out to be fake, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
He denies taking the ball.
