Judiciary
Courthouse rock, political speak result in potential suspension for Elvis-loving decide
The Missouri Fee on Retirement, Removing and Self-discipline of Judges has really useful a six-month unpaid suspension for Decide Matthew E.P. Thornhill of the eleventh Judicial Circuit in St. Charles County, Missouri. (Picture from the Missouri Fee on Retirement, Removing and Self-discipline of Judges’ Nov. 14 recommendations)
A Missouri decide accused of carrying an Elvis Presley wig in courtroom on Halloween and generally taking part in the rock icon’s music within the courtroom is dealing with a possible suspension after acknowledging the substantial accuracy of a three-count ethics grievance.
The Missouri Fee on Retirement, Removing and Self-discipline of Judges really useful a six-month unpaid suspension Nov. 14 for Decide Matthew E.P. Thornhill of the eleventh Judicial Circuit in St. Charles County, Missouri. After serving the suspension, Thornhill would return to the bench for 18 months and retire on the final day, with an settlement by no means to return to the bench.
The advice goes to the Missouri Supreme Court docket for approval.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, KSDK, Fox 2 Now, St. Louis Magazine and the St. Louis Business Journal have protection.
In response to the primary rely of the ethics grievance, Thornhill failed to keep up decorum when he:
• Routinely wore an Elvis Presley wig on Halloween whereas conducting courtroom enterprise within the courtroom, his chambers and the courthouse.
• Typically gave litigants and witnesses a alternative of how you can be sworn in, together with an possibility that concerned taking part in Presley’s music from his telephone.
• Typically talked about Presley and Presley’s lyrics throughout courtroom proceedings.
• Typically performed Presley’s songs and different music from his telephone when getting into the courtroom or whereas on the bench.
A second rely accuses Thornhill of partaking in conduct involving political exercise when he talked about his political affiliation or most popular candidates from the bench and talked about his judicial marketing campaign indicators. In a single occasion, he allegedly requested a litigant who labored for a union whether or not his group had “warmed as much as Thornhill for decide.”
A 3rd rely alleges that Thornhill hand-delivered his character reference to a decide for use in an adoption case, thereby abusing the status of his judicial workplace to advance personal pursuits of one other individual.
In a Nov. 12 letter, Thornhill mentioned he fastidiously reviewed the allegations, and they’re “considerably correct.”
Thornhill mentioned his intention regarding the Presley issues was “so as to add levity at occasions after I thought it might assist calm down litigants. I now acknowledge that this might have an effect on the integrity and solemnity of the proceedings.”
Turning to the second rely, Thornhill mentioned references to marketing campaign indicators had been generally made by litigants or himself in casual conversations. His intent, he mentioned, was to place litigants comfortable, and the references by no means impacted a choice.
“Nevertheless, this was a mistake and a failure on my half to keep up correct order and decorum,” he mentioned.
He additionally acknowledged that the non-public reference that he offered to a decide “was a mistake and improper.”
“Equally, I remorse any inconvenience that I could have induced the courtroom,” he wrote. “I can guarantee you that I’ll do my best possible sooner or later to serve the individuals of the state of Missouri with honor and dignity.”
Thornhill was represented by lawyer Neil Bruntrager, who didn’t instantly reply to the ABA Journal’s emailed request for remark. Thornhill additionally didn’t instantly reply to a message in search of remark left on a voicemail for his clerk.
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