A Missouri court is all shook up following the resignation of a judge who was disciplined for wearing an Elvis Presley wig in court and occasionally playing the singer's songs during proceedings.
Matthew EP Thornhill, the longest-serving circuit judge in St Charles County, is a self-described Elvis lover, according to his biography page.
But his love for the King of Rock'n'Roll contributed to a disciplinary commission demanding his suspension, citing his frequent irrelevant Elvis references in court.
In a letter explaining his actions, Judge Thornhill said his aim was to add levity at times when I thought it would help relax litigants. Now, he realizes that this could affect the integrity and solemnity of the proceedings.
According to a report by Missouri's Commission on Retirement, Removal and Discipline of Judges, Judge Thornhill would routinely wear an Elvis Presley wig on or about October 31 - or Halloween - in court while conducting court business.
Images from the report show the judge sitting on the bench while donning an Elvis wig, complete with the icon's signature black pompadour and sunglasses. He occasionally allowed witnesses or litigants to be sworn in while Elvis music played in the background.
These antics also included referencing the singer during proceedings by mentioning his birth date, death date, and lyrics from his songs.
Judge Thornhill's burning love for all things Elvis is well-documented. In an interview, he mentioned visiting Graceland 13 times and shared that Elvis has been a significant influence in his life since childhood.
The report cited unrelated conduct such as sharing political preferences from the bench and self-promotion for his election campaign. The commission found he failed to maintain order and decorum in the courtroom and recommended a six-month suspension without pay, followed by 18 months before retiring.
On November 12, Thornhill acknowledged the allegations, stating they were substantially accurate, admitting he made a mistake, and agreed to retire after 20 years of service on the bench.
