Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ca4-14-02000/USCOURTS-ca4-14-02000-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Alvita Karen Gunn
Petitioner

Document Text:

UNPUBLISHED

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT

No. 14-2000

In re: ALVITA KAREN GUNN,

Petitioner.

On Petition for Writ of Mandamus. 

(8:09-cr-00213-RWT-4; 8:14-cv-00167-RWT)

Submitted: January 22, 2015 Decided: January 26, 2015

Before SHEDD, KEENAN, and DIAZ, Circuit Judges.

Petition denied by unpublished per curiam opinion.

Alvita Karen Gunn, Petitioner Pro Se.

Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.

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PER CURIAM:

Alvita Karen Gunn petitions for a writ of mandamus, 

seeking this court’s review of her motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 

(2012) or, alternatively, an order recusing the district court 

judge. Mandamus relief is a drastic remedy and should be used 

only in extraordinary circumstances. Kerr v. U.S. Dist. Court, 

426 U.S. 394, 402 (1976). Further, mandamus relief is available 

only when the petitioner has a clear right to the relief sought. 

United States v. Moussaoui, 333 F.3d 509, 517 (4th Cir. 2003). 

Mandamus may not be used as a substitute for appeal. In re 

Lockheed Martin Corp., 503 F.3d 351, 353 (4th Cir. 2007).

We conclude that the relief sought by Gunn is not 

available by way of mandamus. Moreover, to the extent that Gunn 

argues delay by the district court, our review of the district 

court’s docket reveals that the court has ruled on Gunn’s 

motion. Accordingly, although we grant leave to proceed in 

forma pauperis, we deny the petition for a writ of mandamus and 

the motion for bail or release pending appeal. We dispense with 

oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are 

adequately presented in the materials before this court and 

argument would not aid the decisional process.

PETITION DENIED

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