Case Title: Matter of Rhoades

Citation: 

Docket Number: 115, 2006

State: delaware

Court: Delaware Supreme Court

Date: 2006-05-18T00:00:00Z

Document:
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE 
 
 
IN 
RE 
THE 
PETITION 
OF 
FAMOUS 
RHOADES 
FOR 
A 
WRIT OF MANDAMUS 
§ 
§  No. 115, 2006 
§ 
§ 
§   
 
 
 
 
 
Submitted: March 14, 2006 
 
 
 
 
   Decided: May 18, 2006 
 
Before STEELE, Chief Justice, HOLLAND and RIDGELY, Justices 
 
 
 
 
 
 
O R D E R  
 
 
This 18th day of May 2006, it appears to the Court that: 
 
(1) 
The petitioner, Famous Rhoades, seeks to invoke this Court’s 
original jurisdiction to issue an extraordinary writ of mandamus1 to compel 
the Superior Court to rule on his motion to correct his sentence pursuant to 
Superior Court Criminal Rule 35(a).  The State of Delaware has filed an 
answer requesting that Rhoades’ petition be dismissed.  We find that 
Rhoades’ petition manifestly fails to invoke the original jurisdiction of this 
Court.  Accordingly, the petition must be dismissed.  
 
(2) 
In April 2003, Rhoades pleaded guilty to Attempted Possession 
of Cocaine With Intent to Distribute.  In September 2005, he filed a motion 
in the Superior Court to correct his sentence pursuant to Rule 35(a).  The 
                                                 
1 Del. Const. art. IV, § 11(6); Supr. Ct. R. 43. 
 
2
Superior Court docket sheet reflects that, on March 14, 2006, the Superior 
Court issued an order denying Rhoades’ motion.   
 
(3) 
A writ of mandamus is an extraordinary remedy issued by this 
Court to compel a trial court to perform a duty.2  As a condition precedent to 
the issuance of the writ, Rhoades must demonstrate that: he has a clear right 
to the performance of the duty; no other adequate remedy is available; and 
the trial court has arbitrarily failed or refused to perform its duty.3 
 
(4) 
There is no basis for the issuance of a writ of mandamus in this 
case.  The Superior Court docket reflects that the Superior Court ruled on 
Rhoades’ motion to correct his sentence on March 14, 2006.  Rhoades’ 
request for an Order directing the Superior Court to rule on his motion is, 
therefore, moot. 
 
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that Rhoades’ petition for a 
writ of mandamus is DISMISSED. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BY THE COURT: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Myron T. Steele 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chief Justice 
 
 
 
                                                 
2 In re Bordley, 545 A.2d 619, 620 (Del. 1988). 
3 Id.