Missouri has seen some courtroom drama, but nothing quite like this. Saint Charles County Circuit Judge Matthew Thornhill, a longtime fixture in Missouri’s legal scene, recently took theatrics to an entirely new level. His bizarre behavior leaves colleagues and the public bewildered. The story begins with a wig, some aviator sunglasses, and a questionable idea about how to “relax” litigants.
The 57-year-old judge’s Halloween courtroom appearance involved a high-volume Elvis Presley-inspired wig, full-on music cues from the King himself, and more than a few unsolicited references to his political preferences.
Image Source: KDSKNews/YouTube
Court documents show that Thornhill played Presley’s songs from his phone while entering, exiting, and even sitting on the bench, all while quoting irrelevant facts about the singer. He also repeatedly highlighted his political affiliation and campaign signs, at one point questioning attorneys and witnesses about whether they had seen his “Thornhill for Judge” signage.
Thornhill’s antics didn’t stop at music and wigs. He hand-delivered a personal reference in a juvenile adoption case and mentioned another judge in a matter that violated Supreme Court rules, showing a disregard for standard judicial protocol.
While he later described his actions as attempts to “add levity” and ease litigants, Missouri’s Commission on Retirement, Removal, and Discipline concluded his conduct constituted serious misconduct.
Resignation and Consequences
In November, Thornhill admitted that the allegations were “substantially accurate,” acknowledging his violations. To avoid a formal disciplinary hearing, he accepted a six-month unpaid suspension. After which he will return to the bench briefly before officially resigning. Thornhill will never be allowed to run for or be appointed to a judicial position in Missouri again, according to Fox2News.
Thornhill has lived in Saint Charles his entire life. He began his legal career in 1993 and rose to become the longest-serving judge in the county. Married since 1997, he and his wife, Heather, share seven children. Despite his career accomplishments, the image of him in a giant Elvis wig, strumming along to “Jailhouse Rock,” will likely overshadow his judicial record.
“High paying job gone down the drain. His rulings will have to be looked at because he’s crazy,” one commenter writes.
“Elvis has left the building,” snarks another.
Missouri’s legal community is left shaking its head at a spectacle many describe as unprofessional and downright bizarre. Thornhill’s Elvis courtroom era may be over. However, it serves as a cautionary tale about the fine line between levity and lunacy in positions of authority.
Sabrina Russell 
Casey James 
Sofia Bassett 
