In re: Jonathan Henslee v.
In re: Jonathan Henslee v.
Opinion
Petition denied by unpublished PER CURIAM opinion.
Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.
Jonathan Leigh Henslee petitions for a writ of mandamus seeking an order compelling the district court to expedite proceedings in h'is pending 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (2012) action. He also moves to amend his mandamus petition to compel the district court to reconsider its order denying his motions for default judgment. We grant Henslee’s motion to amend, but we conclude that he is not entitled to mandamus relief.
Mandamus relief is a drastic remedy and should 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); United States v. Moussaoui, 333 F.3d 509, 516-17 (4th Cir. 2003). Further, mandamus relief is available only when the petitioner has a clear right to the relief sought. In re First Fed. Sav. & Loan Ass’n, 860 F.2d 135, 138 (4th Cir. 1988).
With regard to Henslee’s request for an order from this court directing the district court to expedite proceedings, we find there has been no undue delay in the district court. Turning to Henslee’s request for an order compelling the district court to reconsider its denial of his motions for default judgment, Henslee has failed to demonstrate that he is entitled to a writ of mandamus. Accordingly, we deny the petition for writ of mandamus and the amended petition for writ of mandamus. 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.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.