Judicial Discipline

Missouri judge Matthew Thornhill, who was criticized for wearing Elvis wigs in court, playing Elvis music, offering Elvis-themed swearing-in options and referencing lyrics and dates during proceedings, has agreed to resign amid concerns about the integrity and solemnity of his courtroom. The Missouri Supreme Court agreed to accept 35 character letters supporting Thornhill; in a Nov. 12 letter he said he tried to "add levity" but now recognizes it was inappropriate—Thornhill, the longest-serving judge in St. Charles County (associate judge 2006, circuit judge 2024), was previously reprimanded in 2008 over reducing charges after an offer of a (fake) Terry Bradshaw–signed baseball, which he denied taking.