Judge accused of using “game or jail” tactic, asserting that abuse victims receive “Super Bowl” neurochemicals
Judiciary
Judge accused of using ‘game or jail’ tactic, asserting abuse victims get ‘Super Bowl’ neurochemicals
March 27, 2025, 3:15 pm CDT
Judge Matthew J. Elkin of Howard County, Indiana, allegedly compared the experience of domestic violence victims being beaten to Tom Brady playing in the Super Bowl. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
An Indiana judge has been accused in an ethics complaint of failing to recognize “appropriate ethical boundaries” and making “injudicious statements” to litigants and defendants.
Judge Matthew J. Elkin of Howard County, Indiana, allegedly singled out some participants for special treatment in the problem-solving courts over which he presided and made discourteous remarks to other participants and litigants, according to a March 26 statement of charges. A March 26 press release summarized the allegations.
WISH, WTHR, the Kokomo Tribune and the Indiana Lawyer have coverage.
The problem-solving courts included drug court, which addressed substance-abuse issues of criminal defendants, and the reentry court, which focused on reintegrating people into the community after incarceration.
In one instance in March 2023, Elkin allegedly told a reentry participant who had been a domestic violence victim why he thinks that such victims stay in relationships.
He began by talking about the kind of elation quarterback Tom Brady must feel when winning the Super Bowl. Brady’s brain is “filled with all kinds neurochemicals” after the win, he said.
Elkin allegedly said: “If I smack you right now, which chemicals will be dumped into your brain?” “The exact chemicals he experiences after he wins the Super Bowl.” Did you know this? Every time you or I beat each other up, we win the Super Bowl. If I hit you in the face and you feel exactly the same way, you can enjoy your relationship. This is what happens. It’s true. This is why women don’t want to leave.” Elkin was accused of rule infractions. Elkin then ordered that the person sitting next to R.P. be handcuffed. Elkin told the passengers that if R.P. Elkin said later that his goal was to stop R.P. You are one-third of the one percent of the worst people on the planet. You are one-third of one percent of the world’s worst people.”
In one instance, he allowed drug-court participants to live in his wife’s rental home, initially charging just for utilities. In other instances, he allowed participants to store personal belongings at his or his wife’s properties, rented a car for one participant applying for a job, offered household and personal belongings to participants, and walked one person to a medical appointment before incarceration.
A lawyer for Elkin, Jennifer Lukemeyer, did not immediately reply to an ABA Journal request for comment.
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