UNPUBLISHED
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT
No. 02-6942
In Re: ARTHUR LEE GOODEN, II,
Petitioner.
On Petition for Writ of Mandamus. (CA-01-666-7)
Submitted: August 9, 2002 Decided: August 30, 2002
Before WILKINS, LUTTIG, and KING, Circuit Judges.
Petition denied by unpublished per curiam opinion.
Arthur Lee Gooden, II, Petitioner Pro Se.
Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.
See Local Rule 36(c).
PER CURIAM:
Arthur Lee Gooden has filed a petition for a writ of mandamus
in this court to compel the district court to expedite its
consideration of his petition filed under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 (2000).
The granting of a writ of mandamus is a drastic remedy to be used
in extraordinary circumstances. In re: Beard, 811 F.2d 818, 826-27
(4th Cir. 1987). A petitioner must show that he has a clear right
to the relief sought, that the respondent has a clear duty to
perform the act requested by petitioner, and that there is no other
adequate remedy available. In re: First Fed. Sav. & Loan Ass’n,
860 F.2d 135, 138 (4th Cir. 1988). Gooden has failed to make the
requisite showing of extraordinary circumstances justifying
mandamus relief. Our review of the district court docket sheet
discloses that there has been no undue delay in considering
Gooden’s § 2254 petition. Accordingly, although we grant leave to
proceed in forma pauperis, we deny his petition for a writ of
mandamus. 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
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