Missouri Judge Resigns After Repeatedly Cosplaying as Elvis Presley in Court
A Missouri judge with a well-known passion for Elvis Presley has resigned from his position after facing disciplinary action for repeatedly dressing as teh rock and roll icon while presiding over court proceedings.Judge Matthew EP Thornhill of the St. Charles County Circuit Court agreed to an 18-month return to the bench followed by resignation, as recommended by the Missouri Judge Dismissal, Dismissal, and Disciplinary Committee.
The committee found Judge Thornhill violated ethical codes in three key areas. He repeatedly impersonated Presley in the courtroom and office, particularly around Halloween, wearing a wig and sunglasses and playing Presley music during trials. He reportedly allowed litigants and witnesses to choose to swear in oaths while listening to ”Elvis music” and made references to PresleyS birthday and death date.
Further violations included engaging in inappropriate political conversations with individuals involved in cases, and questions about campaign banners, and concerns over perhaps improperly influencing a child adoption case by personally delivering a recommendation letter.
In a statement to the Missouri Supreme Court, Judge Thornhill claimed his Presley impersonations were “intended to soften the courtroom atmosphere and put the minds of nervous people at ease,” while acknowledging “appropriate manners and order were not observed.” He characterized the political conversations as unrelated to trial outcomes and the letter delivery as “a simple mistake and inappropriate.”
Judge Thornhill, appointed as a deputy circuit court judge in 2006 and elected as a circuit court judge last year, was publicly known for his devotion to Presley, having visited Graceland 13 times. His middle name, “EP,” was initially speculated to be a tribute to Elvis Presley, but the New York Times reported it stands for “Eugene Peter.”
