Judiciary
Courthouse rock, political discuss result in potential suspension for Elvis-loving choose
The Missouri Fee on Retirement, Elimination and Self-discipline of Judges has beneficial 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, Elimination and Self-discipline of Judges’ Nov. 14 recommendations)
A Missouri choose accused of sporting an Elvis Presley wig in courtroom on Halloween and generally taking part in the rock icon’s music within the courtroom is going through a possible suspension after acknowledging the substantial accuracy of a three-count ethics criticism.
The Missouri Fee on Retirement, Elimination and Self-discipline of Judges beneficial 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 Courtroom for approval.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, KSDK, Fox 2 Now, St. Louis Magazine and the St. Louis Business Journal have protection.
Based on the primary rely of the ethics criticism, Thornhill failed to take care of 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 tips on how to be sworn in, together with an choice that concerned taking part in Presley’s music from his cellphone.
• Typically talked about Presley and Presley’s lyrics throughout courtroom proceedings.
• Typically performed Presley’s songs and different music from his cellphone when getting into the courtroom or whereas on the bench.
A second rely accuses Thornhill of participating 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 choose.”
A 3rd rely alleges that Thornhill hand-delivered his character reference to a choose for use in an adoption case, thereby abusing the status of his judicial workplace to advance personal pursuits of one other particular person.
In a Nov. 12 letter, Thornhill stated he rigorously reviewed the allegations, and they’re “considerably correct.”
Thornhill stated 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 stated references to marketing campaign indicators had been generally made by litigants or himself in casual conversations. His intent, he stated, 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 take care of correct order and decorum,” he stated.
He additionally acknowledged that the non-public reference that he offered to a choose “was a mistake and improper.”
“Equally, I remorse any inconvenience that I could have brought about the courtroom,” he wrote. “I can guarantee you that I’ll do my absolute best sooner or later to serve the folks of the state of Missouri with honor and dignity.”
Thornhill was represented by legal professional 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 looking for remark left on a voicemail for his clerk.
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