Judge's Elvis Antics Lead to Early Retirement

In a small courtroom near St. Louis, Judge Matthew Thornhill was known for his unusual habits. He often wore an Elvis Presley wig and played the King's music during court. This behavior caught the attention of the state board. They decided Thornhill's actions were not suitable for a judge. They reached an agreement with him. He will take a six-month break without pay. After that, he will serve 18 more months before leaving his job. This deal is currently waiting for approval from the Missouri Supreme Court. Thornhill thought he was making the courtroom more fun. He believed his Elvis antics would help people relax. But the state board saw it differently. They said his actions affected the seriousness of the court. They also mentioned he talked about politics too much. This is not allowed for a judge. Thornhill admitted his mistakes. He promised to serve with more dignity in the future. The court files show many photos of Thornhill in his Elvis wig. He even let people choose how they wanted to be sworn in. Some options included playing Elvis music. The board said all these Elvis references broke the rules. Judges must keep order and respect in the courtroom. Thornhill is a well-known judge in St. Charles County. He has been a judge for many years. He was even elected as a circuit judge in 2024. His main job is in family court. This is not the first time Thornhill has faced trouble. In 2008, he was fined for reducing charges against a woman. She offered him a fake baseball signed by a famous football player. Thornhill denied taking the baseball. In the latest case, he was also criticized for mentioning his political campaign. He talked about his campaign signs and where they were posted. He admitted these comments were a mistake. They did not affect his decisions, though. The state board also criticized Thornhill for offering a character letter in an adoption case. They said this was an abuse of his position. Thornhill agreed it was a mistake. Court transcripts show three images of Thornhill in his Elvis wig. One photo shows him behind the bench. Another shows him in front of Elvis posters and memorabilia.