TL;DR
- Judge Matthew Thornhill in Missouri faces a six-month suspension for wearing an Elvis Presley wig and playing the singer’s music in court, with an agreement to resign after 18 months.
- He acknowledged that his actions could undermine the integrity of judicial proceedings, despite claiming he aimed to lighten the atmosphere for litigants.
- Missouri’s judicial commission cited violations of guidelines designed to uphold the judiciary’s integrity, with concerns about his political comments during cases also raised.
Judge who wore Elvis wig in court has left the building | Offbeat News
A judge who wore an Elvis Presley wig in his courtroom – and played the singer’s music from his phone – has left the building.
Judge Matthew Thornhill is facing a six-month suspension because of disciplinary action over his conduct in Missouri.
Under the terms of an agreement, he would then serve for 18 months before resigning from the bench for good.
Mr Thornhill said he had been trying “to add levity at times when I thought it would help relax litigants”.
But he was all shook up after a complaint was made, and conceded: “I now recognise that this could affect the integrity and solemnity of the proceedings.”
Court filings about his case are littered with photographs of Mr Thornhill posing in a plastic Elvis wig and sunglasses – which suggests the legendary singer was always on his mind.
It is claimed he would sometimes play The King’s music as he entered the courtroom, and mention the singer’s lyrics or date of birth even though it wasn’t relevant.
Unfortunately for Mr Thornhill, strict rules in Missouri require judges to engage in a little less conversation.
The commission says he violated guidelines designed to “promote confidence in the integrity of the judiciary”.
While he can’t help falling in love with Elvis, the judge has also been accused of mentioning his political affiliation during cases – as well as preferred election candidates.
Missouri Supreme Court is currently considering whether to accept the proposed penalty.