One judge’s attempt at “levity” ended in resignation as his antics may have violated “order and decorum.”
While it’s not completely absurd to want to lighten the mood during your workday, Judge Matthew Thornhill of Missouri reportedly went too far by donning an Elvis wig in his courtroom. He claimed his behavior was to “add levity at times when I thought it would help relax litigants,” but he also admitted “that this could affect the integrity and solemnity of the proceedings.”
“The state’s Commission on Retirement, Removal and Discipline mentioned Thornhill’s predilection to dress like the king of rock ‘n’ roll, including photos of him dressed in a wig and sunglasses with staff in its report,” Fox News reported, also noting that the judge had a tendency to discuss politics while on the clock, even going so far as to mention which candidates he preferred.
The commission’s report “says 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,” in addition to randomly referring to Elvis during proceedings. While this could be considered all in good fun, the commission believes that Thornhill violated rules of “order and decorum.”
To avoid a disciplinary hearing, Thornhill reportedly agreed to a six-month unpaid leave, followed by his return to the bench for 18 months. After this period, he will officially resign early.
“Thornhill was elected associate circuit judge in 2006, and he served for 18 years. 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,” Fox continues.
A quick glance over the judge’s biography indicates he “loves Elvis, surfing, gardening, watching soccer, golfing with his children, and running with his dog on the Katy Trail.”
It would appear that this isn’t the first time he’s run afoul of the standards of his position. In 2008, he was fined $750 and reprimanded for allegedly accepting a baseball signed by Football Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw in exchange for reducing a woman’s charges. He claims he never accepted the ball, which turned out to be a fake anyway.
X users had some thoughts on the story:
but did he play jailhouse rock when he sentence people
— avious (@0xAvious) November 21, 2025
— Hero DarkyDark (@HeroDarkyDark) November 21, 2025
Did he shake his hips while rendering judgement?
— Domestic (@ManOfMystery79) November 20, 2025
This judge gets fired for being a little bit silly but Judge Boasberg, who has done some shady things, is untouchable.
— KB (@IamKoolZero) November 21, 2025
Aren’t there other Judges more deserving of getting fired? This Judge was just trying to have fun. Nothing Law breaking about that.
— Gold Prime (@Goldprime118) November 22, 2025
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to write. Marlee also contributes to BizPac Review.
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