Page 13 - IAV Digital Magazine #631

iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine
US Judge Resigns After Being Disciplined For Wearing Elvis Wig In Court
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvP4LkPeRmc
By Nadine Yousif, BBC
A Missouri court is all shook up following the resignation of a judge who was disci- plined for wearing an Elvis Presley wig in court and occasional- ly playing the singer's songs during pro- ceedings.
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 disci- plinary commission demanding his sus- pension, citing his fre- quent "irrelevant" 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 liti- gants".
"I now recognise that this could affect the integrity and solemni- ty of the proceed- ings," Judge Thornhill wrote in a letter dated 12 November to the Missouri Supreme Court.
The judge "would rou- tinely wear an Elvis Presley wig on or about October 31" - or Halloween - in court while conduct- ing court business, according to a report by Missouri's Commission on Retirement, Removal and Discipline of Judges, which investi- gates allegations of judicial misconduct.
The report shows images of Judge Thornhill sitting on the bench while donning an Elvis wig with his signature black pom- padour and sunglass- es.
It adds that, on occa- sion, he would give litigants or witnesses the option of being
sworn in while playing Elvis music from his phone.
He would also refer to the singer occasional- ly during court pro- ceedings, including mentioning his date of birth or death and lyrics from his music, according to the inquiry report.
Judge 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 unre- lated conduct, like sharing his political affiliation or preferred candidates in elec- tions from the bench,
as well as promoting his own election cam- paign by asking wit- nesses, 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 court- room" and recom- mended he be sus- pended without pay for six months, then serve for another 18 months before retir- ing.
In the 12 November letter, Judge Thornhill did not dispute any of the allegations, say- ing they were "sub- stantially accurate".
He acknowledged he had made a mistake and agreed to the terms set out by the commission, which allowed him to con- clude his service on the bench and retire after 20 years.
iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine