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 “irrJudge Thornhill’s burning love for all things Elvis is well-documented.
In an interview with a local media outlet last year, he said he had visited Graceland, where the singer lived and is buried, 13 times.
He added that Elvis was always on his mind since he was a child.
The disciplinary report also cites unrelated conduct, like sharing his political affiliation or preferred candidates in elections from the bench, as well as promoting his own election campaign by asking witnesses, lawyers and litigants if they had seen his “Thornhill for Judge” signs around town.
The commission found that Judge Thornhill had “failed to maintain order and decorum in the courtroom” and recommended he be suspended without pay for six months, then serve for another 18 months before retiring.
In the 12 November letter, Judge Thornhill did not dispute any of the allegations, saying they were “substantially accurate”.
He acknowledged he had made a mistake and agreed to the terms set out by the commission, which allowed him to conclude his service on the bench and retire after 20 years.
elevant” 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”.
