Judge's Elvis Antics Lead to Forced Resignation
A Missouri judge has been compelled to resign from his position after a series of extraordinary incidents where he presided over court proceedings while dressed as Elvis Presley, playing the musician's iconic songs and promoting his political affiliations from the bench.
According to legal documents obtained by the Daily Mail, Saint Charles County Circuit Judge Matthew Thornhill, 57, has agreed to step down permanently after the Missouri Commission on Retirement, Removal, and Discipline found he had "committed various acts of misconduct."
The Halloween Courtroom Spectacle
The primary incident occurred on Halloween, when Judge Thornhill arrived at court wearing a dramatic, high-volume wig reminiscent of Elvis Presley's signature style. Court documents reveal he didn't stop at the costume alone.
The judge occasionally played "Elvis Presley music from his phone" while entering and exiting the courtroom and even while seated on the bench. He made numerous references to Presley during official proceedings, including details about the musician's birth and death dates, which the commission determined were "irrelevant to the proceedings before the court."
Beyond his Elvis impersonation, Thornhill engaged in inappropriate political commentary from the bench. The commission stated he "would mention his political affiliation and/or his preferred candidates" during court sessions.
On one occasion, he directly questioned attorneys, witnesses, and litigants about the whereabouts of his "Thornhill for Judge" campaign signs, informing the courtroom they were located in "Thornhill for Judge County." He even asked courtroom attendees where they lived and whether they had seen his campaign signage.
Additional Violations and Consequences
The judicial misconduct extended beyond the Elvis spectacle. Thornhill admitted to hand-delivering a "personal reference" to another judge last year concerning a juvenile adoption case involving the termination of parental rights.
This action specifically referenced Judge Christopher McDonough and violated a Supreme Court of Missouri rule prohibiting judges from appearing as character witnesses without being subpoenaed.
Photographic evidence showed Thornhill posing with colleagues while wearing the Elvis wig, aviator sunglasses, and a scarf similar to the singer's iconic accessory. Another image captured him alongside a cardboard cutout of Presley, who died on August 16, 1977.
In a November 12 letter, Thornhill admitted all allegations were "substantially accurate" and acknowledged the commission could prove these violations. He attempted to justify his behaviour, claiming the Elvis hairstyle and music were intended to "add levity" and relax litigants, while the political comments were meant as informal conversation to put people "at ease." He later admitted this was a "mistake" while maintaining the comments never influenced his judicial decisions.
By confessing to his actions, Thornhill avoided a disciplinary hearing and waived his right to appeal. His resignation will follow a six-month unpaid suspension, after which he will return to the bench for 18 months before officially stepping down.
The terms of his resignation permanently bar him from seeking re-election, election, or appointment to any judicial position as a state or municipal judge anywhere in Missouri.
Thornhill had been a prominent figure in Missouri's legal system, having lived in Saint Charles his entire life and beginning his legal career in 1993 as an assistant county prosecutor. He was elected associate circuit judge in 2006, serving Division 12 for 18 years, and was elected division four circuit judge in 2024, making him the longest-serving judge in the county.
He has been married to his wife Heather since 1997, and they share seven children together - six girls and one boy.
