Judge "Displayed Poor Judgment by Wearing His Elvis Presley Costume … During Court Proceedings on or Around Halloween"

The Missouri Commission on Retirement, Removal, and Discipline of Judges charged Judge Matthew Thornhill with committing misconduct:

That Respondent engaged in a course of conduct in which he failed to maintain order and decorum in the courtroom, in his chambers, and in the courthouse and further failed to maintain the dignity appropriate of judicial office in one or more of the following ways:

1. That Respondent would routinely wear an Elvis Presley wig on or about October 31 in the courtroom, in his chambers and/or in the courthouse while conducting court business.
2. That on occasion, Respondent would let litigants and/or witnesses select how they would be sworn in prior to testifying. One option involved the Respondent playing Elvis Presley music from his phone.
3. That on occasion, Respondent would refer to Elvis Presley during court proceedings, such as referring to Elvis Presley's date of birth or death when such statements were irrelevant to the proceedings before the court.
4. That on occasion Respondent would refer to the lyrics of Elvis Presley songs during court proceedings when such statements were irrelevant to the proceedings before the court.
5. That on occasion Respondent would play music from his phone including Elvis Presley songs while entering the courtroom and/or while on the bench doing court business.