State v. Greene Co. Sheriff, Unpublished Decision (3-6-1998)
State v. Greene Co. Sheriff, Unpublished Decision (3-6-1998)
Opinion of the Court
More specifically, the relators, Danny Slaven and Bonnie Rasnic, seek to compel Xenia and Greene County prosecutors, the Xenia police department, and the Greene County sheriff's office to charge and prosecute several individuals. In their application, the relators assert that these individuals have intimidated them, threatened them, assaulted them, destroyed their property, and even planned a murder by trying to hire a "hit man" and offering a contract for Slaven's "head on a platter."
Their application includes copies of various police reports detailing some of their allegations.
In response, the Xenia and Greene County respondents each have filed an answer denying the allegations in the relators' mandamus application. They also have filed motions for summary judgment that include affidavits from the two prosecutors and law enforcement officials. The law enforcement officials aver that they have responded to calls from the relators, filed the proper reports, investigated the relators' allegations, and, when appropriate, referred some allegations for prosecutorial review. In turn, the two prosecutors aver that they have reviewed all referred matters and have declined to prosecute based upon insufficient and unreliable evidence.
After reviewing the relators' application and the respondents' answers and motions, we find summary judgment proper. At the outset, we note that the relators have failed to verify their application by affidavit as required by R.C.
The decision whether to prosecute is discretionary, and a prosecuting attorney will not be compelled to prosecute unless non-prosecution constitutes an abuse of discretion. State ex rel.Squire v. Taft (1994),
Accordingly, we hereby grant the respondents' motions for summary judgment and deny the
relators' application for a writ of mandamus.
___________________________________ FREDERICK N. YOUNG, Presiding Judge
___________________________________ JAMES A. BROGAN, Judge
___________________________________ WILLIAM H. WOLFF, JR., Judge
Copies mailed to:
Danny Slaven
Bonnie Rasnic
Suzanne M. Schmidt Senior Asst. Prosecuting Atty.
Kimberly H. Mayhew
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