Title: Ealy v. Stewart

State: ohio

Issuer: Ohio Supreme Court

Document:

[Cite as Ealy v. Stewart, 121 Ohio St.3d 1, 2009-Ohio-256.] 
 
 
EALY, APPELLANT, v. STEWART ET AL., APPELLEES. 
[Cite as Ealy v. Stewart, 121 Ohio St.3d 1, 2009-Ohio-256.] 
Appeal from dismissal of a petition for a writ of habeas corpus – Adequate 
remedy at law available – Judgment affirmed. 
(No. 2008-1590 — Submitted January 14, 2009 — Decided January 28, 2009.) 
APPEAL from the Court of Appeals for Montgomery County, No. 22032. 
__________________ 
 
Per Curiam. 
{¶ 1} We affirm the judgment of the court of appeals dismissing the 
petition of Larry E. Ealy for a writ of habeas corpus challenging the involuntary 
civil commitment of his son because his son had an adequate remedy by way of 
appeal to raise his claims.  See Youngs v. Rogers (1981), 65 Ohio St.2d 27, 19 
O.O.3d 223, 417 N.E.2d 1250. 
{¶ 2} Ealy’s reliance on R.C. 5122.30 does not warrant a different result.  
“While R.C. 5122.30 does provide for habeas corpus relief to persons who are 
detained pursuant to R.C. Chapter 5122, this court has consistently held that if a 
petitioner has an adequate remedy at law the extraordinary writ of habeas corpus 
will not issue.”  Roden v. Hubbard (1981), 65 Ohio St.2d 37, 38, 19 O.O.3d 228, 
417 N.E.2d 1255.  In fact, Ealy’s son did appeal his commitment order, which 
was dismissed after he failed to respond to a show-cause order.  The fact that 
alternate remedies have already been invoked does not entitle petitioner to a writ 
of habeas corpus.  Everett v. Eberlin, 114 Ohio St.3d 199, 2007-Ohio-3832, 870 
N.E.2d 1190, ¶ 6. 
{¶ 3} Our holding renders appellees’ motion to strike and motion to 
dismiss moot. 
Judgment affirmed. 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
2 
MOYER, C.J., and LUNDBERG STRATTON, O’CONNOR, O’DONNELL, 
LANZINGER, and CUPP, JJ., concur. 
PFEIFER, J., dissents and would direct the court of appeals to order a return 
on the writ. 
__________________ 
 
Larry E. Ealy, pro se. 
 
Beverly Stewart, for appellees. 
______________________