A Missouri judge just got the boot for turning his courtroom into an Elvis impersonation show and politicking from the bench.
In a stunning unanimous ruling on Monday, December 29, 2025, the Missouri Supreme Court ousted Judge Matthew E.P. Thornhill of the 11th Circuit Court in St. Charles County for misconduct, rejecting a softer deal that would have let him linger in office after a suspension.
For St. Charles County taxpayers, this saga isn’t just a sideshow—it’s a direct hit to public trust and a potential legal liability if cases handled under Thornhill’s questionable conduct face appeals or challenges. From a conservative standpoint, every dime spent on re-hearing cases or managing fallout is a dollar snatched from hardworking families. We can’t afford to let judicial antics slide without full accountability.
Thornhill, a 57-year-old judge elected in 2006, found himself in hot water over accusations that he failed to keep courtroom decorum, meddled in a child adoption case, and engaged in political chatter during proceedings.
For over a decade, around Halloween, he donned an Elvis wig, spouted song lyrics, and even played music while conducting court business, asking participants if they wanted to swear in to the King’s tunes. Court documents even captured photos of him perched on the bench in costume.
Adding fuel to the fire, Thornhill openly discussed his political affiliation, bragged about “Thornhill for Judge” campaign signs, and quizzed folks in court if they lived in what he called “Thornhill for Judge Country.”
“Members of the public who heard him declare—in the courtroom—his partisan affiliation and identify those candidates he supports in other races reasonably could have thought their chances for a favorable outcome could or would be enhanced if they professed the same affiliation,” said Judge Paul C. Wilson. Let’s be real: when a judge turns the bench into a campaign stump, it’s not just a breach of ethics—it’s a betrayal of every citizen seeking impartial justice.
Earlier in 2025, the Commission of Retirement, Removal and Discipline of Judges struck a deal with Thornhill for a six-month suspension followed by 18 more months in office before resignation, pending Supreme Court approval.
But the high court wasn’t buying it, slamming the agreement as inadequate and ordering his immediate removal on December 29, 2025.
Thornhill tried to backpedal in November 2025, asking to void the deal or slash his suspension to 60 days, citing embarrassment over the Elvis photos and public disclosure of the agreement.
The Supreme Court shot that down flat, noting the commission never promised to hide the photos or keep the deal under wraps. From a populist angle, this dodge smells like an elite trying to skirt consequences while regular folks face the full weight of their mistakes.
Thornhill did offer some contrition, admitting, “I now recognize that this could affect the integrity and solemnity of the proceedings.” But let’s not kid ourselves—acknowledging a mistake after a decade of courtroom karaoke doesn’t erase the damage to judicial credibility.
Under Missouri law, judges aged 55 or older with 20 years of service qualify for benefits post-office, a detail not lost on observers wondering if Thornhill’s delayed resignation plan was a convenient parachute. Conservatives demand transparency on whether personal gain factored into his initial deal.
This isn’t just about one judge’s missteps—it’s a wake-up call for every courtroom in America to reject progressive notions of “casual justice” and restore the solemnity our legal system deserves. St. Charles County deserves judges who uphold order, not ones who treat the bench like a Vegas stage.
