Case Name: In re Phillip M. PROPST, Petitioner
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2001-09-27
Citations: 19 F. App'x 132
Docket Number: No. 01-6820
Parties: In re Phillip M. PROPST, Petitioner.
Judges: Before LUTTIG, KING, and GREGORY, Circuit Judges.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 19
Pages: 132–133

Head Matter:
In re Phillip M. PROPST, Petitioner.
No. 01-6820.
United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit.
Submitted Sept. 20, 2001.
Decided Sept. 27, 2001.
Phillip M. Propst, pro se.
Before LUTTIG, KING, and GREGORY, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM.
Phillip Propst has filed a petition for a writ of mandamus from this court seeking to challenge his state conviction and for release of documents. Mandamus is a drastic remedy to be used only in extraordinary circumstances. Kerr v. United States Dist. Court, 426 U.S. 394, 402, 96 S.Ct. 2119, 48 L.Ed.2d 725 (1976). Mandamus relief is only available when there are no other means by which the relief sought could be granted, In re Beard, 811 F.2d 818, 826 (4th Cir.1987), and may not be used as a substitute for appeal. In re Catawba Indian Tribe, 973 F.2d 1133, 1135 (4th Cir.1992). The party seeking mandamus relief carries the heavy burden of showing that he has "no other adequate means to attain the relief he desires" and that his entitlement to such relief is "clear and indisputable." Allied Chem. Corp. v. Daiflon, Inc., 449 U.S. 33, 35, 101 S.Ct. 188, 66 L.Ed.2d 193 (1980). Propst has not made such a showing. A petition filed pursuant to 28 U.S.C.A. § 2254 (West 1994 & Supp.2000) is the proper vehicle to attack his conviction. Propst has previously filed such a petition. Accordingly, we deny Propst's motion to proceed in forma pauperis and his petition for mandamus relief. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.
PETITION DENIED