A U.S. judge has voluntarily resigned after admitting he failed to maintain order and decorum in his courtroom by wearing an Elvis Presley-style wig and playing the musician’s music during proceedings.
Matthew Thornhill, who presided over the St. Charles County Circuit Court in Missouri, submitted a letter to the court explaining his actions.
In the letter, he admitted that they “could affect the integrity and solemnity of the proceedings,” but that he intended to “add levity at times when I thought it would help relax litigants.”
Judge disciplined on two other counts
Thornhill was also cited for two other misconduct counts. One involved making political remarks from the bench, something the commission said violated judicial impartiality rules.
The other count related to his handing a handwritten character reference in an adoption case, a move deemed improper because judges must not act as character witnesses in matters before the court.
The Missouri Commission on Retirement, Removal and Discipline opened a formal inquiry into Thornhill’s conduct earlier in the year, leading to a negotiated resolution in which Thornhill agreed to step down rather than face a full disciplinary hearing.
Under the disciplinary agreement, Thornhill will serve a six-month unpaid suspension, followed by 18 months back on the bench before resigning and being barred from being able to hold judicial office in Missouri.
