Courthouse rock, political talk lead to potential suspension for Elvis-loving judge

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Courthouse rock, political discuss result in potential…

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Courthouse rock, political discuss result in potential suspension for Elvis-loving choose

By Debra Cassens Weiss

November 20, 2025, 10:59 am CST

A Missouri choose accused of carrying an Elvis Presley wig in courtroom on Halloween and typically enjoying the rock icon’s music within the courtroom is going through a possible suspension after acknowledging the substantial accuracy of a three-count ethics grievance.

The Missouri Fee on Retirement, Elimination and Self-discipline of Judges advisable a six-month unpaid suspension Nov. 14 for Choose Matthew E.P. Thornhill of the eleventh Judicial Circuit in St. Charles County, Missouri. After serving the suspension, Thornhill would return to the bench for 18 months and retire on the final day, with an settlement by no means to return to the bench.

The advice goes to the Missouri Supreme Courtroom for approval.

The St. Louis Put up-Dispatch, KSDK, Fox 2 Now, St. Louis Journal and the St. Louis Enterprise Journal have protection.

Based on the primary rely of the ethics grievance, Thornhill failed to keep up decorum when he:

  • Routinely wore an Elvis Presley wig on Halloween whereas conducting courtroom enterprise within the courtroom, his chambers and the courthouse.

  • Typically gave litigants and witnesses a selection of methods to be sworn in, together with an choice that concerned enjoying Presley’s music from his telephone.

  • Typically talked about Presley and Presley’s lyrics throughout courtroom proceedings.

  • Typically performed Presley’s songs and different music from his telephone when coming into the courtroom or whereas on the bench.

A second rely accuses Thornhill of partaking in conduct involving political exercise when he talked about his political affiliation or most well-liked candidates from the bench and talked about his judicial marketing campaign indicators. In a single occasion, he allegedly requested a litigant who labored for a union whether or not his group had “warmed as much as Thornhill for choose.”

A 3rd rely alleges that Thornhill hand-delivered his character reference to a choose for use in an adoption case, thereby abusing the status of his judicial workplace to advance non-public pursuits of one other individual.

In a Nov. 12 letter, Thornhill stated he fastidiously reviewed the allegations, and they’re “considerably correct.”

Thornhill stated his intention referring to the Presley issues was “so as to add levity at occasions after I thought it will assist loosen up litigants. I now acknowledge that this might have an effect on the integrity and solemnity of the proceedings.”

Turning to the second rely, Thornhill stated references to marketing campaign indicators have been typically made by litigants or himself in casual conversations. His intent, he stated, was to place litigants comfy, and the references by no means impacted a call.

“Nevertheless, this was a mistake and a failure on my half to keep up correct order and decorum,” he stated.

He additionally acknowledged that the non-public reference that he supplied to a choose “was a mistake and improper.”

“Equally, I remorse any inconvenience that I’ll have induced the courtroom,” he wrote. “I can guarantee you that I’ll do my best sooner or later to serve the individuals of the state of Missouri with honor and dignity.”

Thornhill was represented by lawyer Neil Bruntrager, who didn’t instantly reply to the ABA Journal’s emailed request for remark. Thornhill additionally didn’t instantly reply to a message in search of remark left on a voicemail for his clerk.

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