Key Takeaways
- Judge Matthew Thornhill, a Missouri judge, has agreed to a deal that would cut his career on the bench short due to disciplinary actions.
- Thornhill faces a six-month unpaid suspension and will serve 18 more months on the bench before resigning.
- The disciplinary actions were taken due to Thornhill’s behavior in the courtroom, including wearing an Elvis Presley wig and playing the singer’s music during court proceedings.
- Thornhill was also criticized for discussing politics and his own campaign from the bench.
- The agreement is pending before the Missouri Supreme Court.
Introduction to the Case
Judge Matthew Thornhill, a Missouri judge, has agreed to a deal that would cut his career on the bench short due to disciplinary actions. The deal, which was reached with a state board, includes a six-month unpaid suspension, followed by 18 more months of service on the bench before resigning from the St. Charles County Circuit Court. The agreement is pending before the Missouri Supreme Court, and the court has agreed to accept 35 letters in support of Thornhill’s character.
Thornhill’s Behavior in the Courtroom
Thornhill’s behavior in the courtroom was the main reason for the disciplinary actions. He was known to wear an Elvis Presley wig and play the singer’s music during court proceedings, which was seen as unprofessional and disruptive. Thornhill claimed that he intended to "add levity" to the proceedings, but he now recognizes that his actions could have affected the integrity and solemnity of the court. He has promised to do his best to serve the people of Missouri with honor and dignity in the future.
Disciplinary Actions
The Missouri Commission on Retirement, Removal and Discipline of Judges faulted Thornhill for his behavior, including his affinity for Elvis Presley. The commission highlighted several instances where Thornhill wore the wig in the courtroom, played Elvis music, and even offered people the option to be sworn in to the sound of Elvis music. Thornhill was also criticized for discussing politics and his own campaign from the bench, which was seen as a violation of the rules requiring a judge to maintain "order and decorum" and "promote confidence in the integrity of the judiciary."
Thornhill’s Background and Previous Disciplinary Actions
Thornhill is the longest-serving judge in St. Charles County and has a background as an assistant prosecutor. He was elected as an associate circuit judge in 2006 and a circuit judge in 2024. In 2008, he was reprimanded and fined $750 for reducing charges against a woman he was prosecuting after she offered to give him a baseball signed by Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw. Thornhill denied taking the baseball, which was later found to be a fake.
Reaction to the Disciplinary Actions
The disciplinary actions against Thornhill have elicited a range of reactions from the public and fellow attorneys. Some have criticized Thornhill’s behavior as unprofessional and disruptive, while others have defended him as a well-intentioned judge who was trying to add some levity to the proceedings. One attorney, Brendan Roediger, quipped that "suspicious minds are wondering about the punishment. It’s now or never—either he should be a judge or he shouldn’t."
Conclusion
The case of Judge Matthew Thornhill serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining professionalism and decorum in the courtroom. While Thornhill’s intentions may have been good, his actions were seen as disruptive and unprofessional, and he has been held accountable for his behavior. The disciplinary actions against Thornhill will likely serve as a warning to other judges to be mindful of their behavior in the courtroom and to maintain the integrity and solemnity of the proceedings.