[Cite as Pearson v. Branstool, 2013-Ohio-3885.]
COURT OF APPEALS
LICKING COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
ROBERT PEARSON JUDGES:
Hon. William B. Hoffman, P.J.
Relator Hon. Sheila G. Farmer, J.
Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J.
-vs-
Case No. 13-CA-46
JUDGE W. DAVID BRANSTOOL
Respondent OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Writ for Mandamus/Procedendo
JUDGMENT: Dismissed
DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: September 9, 2013
APPEARANCES:
For Relator For Respondent
ROBERT PEARSON, PRO SE MARK A. ZANGHI
Marion Correctional Institution Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
#547-179 20 South Second Street, 4th Floor
P.O. Box 57 Newark, Ohio 43055
Marion, Ohio 43301
Licking County, Case No. 13-CA-46 2
Hoffman, P.J.
{¶1} Relator Robert Pearson has filed a “Complaint/Petition for Mandamus
and/or Writ of Procedendo under the Jurisdiction of Article IV, Section 3 of the Ohio
Constitution.” Relator requests Respondent be ordered to rule on a motion filed by
Relator on April 28, 2011. Respondent has filed a motion to dismiss arguing the relief
sought has already been obtained and arguing Relator has failed to meet the procedural
requirements for a writ of mandamus.
{¶2} To be entitled to the issuance of a writ of mandamus, the Relator must
demonstrate: (1) a clear legal right to the relief prayed for; (2) a clear legal duty on the
respondent's part to perform the act; and, (3) that there exists no plain and adequate
remedy in the ordinary course of law. State ex rel. Master v. Cleveland (1996), 75 Ohio
St.3d 23, 26-27, 661 N.E.2d 180; State ex rel. Harris v. Rhodes (1978), 5 Ohio St.2d 41,
324 N.E.2d 641, citing State ex rel. National City Bank v. Bd of Education (1977) 520
Ohio St.2d 81, 369 N.E.2d 1200.
{¶3} The Supreme Court has held, “Neither procedendo nor mandamus will
compel the performance of a duty that has already been performed. State ex rel. Grove
v. Nadel (1998), 84 Ohio St.3d 252, 253, 703 N.E.2d 304, 305.” State ex rel. Kreps v.
Christiansen (2000), 88 Ohio St.3d 313, 318, 725 N.E.2d 663, 668.
{¶4} Respondent ruled on Relator’s April 28, 2011 motion on July 12, 2011.
Because the relief sought has already been rendered by the trial court, Relator has no
clear right to the relief prayed for, and the Respondent has no clear legal duty to
perform an act which it has already performed. State ex rel. Lewis v. Boggins, 2007
WL 4395630 (Ohio App. 5 Dist.). Therefore, a writ of mandamus will not issue.
Licking County, Case No. 13-CA-46 3
{¶5} To be entitled to a writ of procedendo, “a relator must establish a clear
legal right to require the court to proceed, a clear legal duty on the part of the court to
proceed, and the lack of an adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law.” Miley,
supra, at 65, citing State ex rel. Sherrills v. Cuyahoga Cty. Court of Common Pleas
(1995), 72 Ohio St.3d 461, 462. The Supreme Court has noted, “The writ of procedendo
is merely an order from a court of superior jurisdiction to one of inferior jurisdiction to
proceed to judgment. It does not in any case attempt to control the inferior court as to
what that judgment should be.” State ex rel. Davey v. Owen, 133 Ohio St. 96, *106, 12
N.E.2d 144, * *149 (1937).
{¶6} Because Respondent has issued a ruling on Relator’s motion, the request
for a writ of procedendo has become moot.
{¶7} For these reasons, Respondent’s Motion to Dismiss is granted.
By: Hoffman, P.J.
Farmer, J. and
Delaney, J. concur
___________________________________
HON. WILLIAM B. HOFFMAN
___________________________________
HON. SHEILA G. FARMER
___________________________________
HON. PATRICIA A. DELANEY
Licking County, Case No. 13-CA-46 4
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR LICKING COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
ROBERT PEARSON :
:
Relator :
:
-vs- : JUDGMENT ENTRY
:
JUDGE W. DAVID BRANSTOOL :
:
Respondent : Case No. 13-CA-46
For the reasons stated in our accompanying Opinion, Respondent’s Motion to
Dismiss is granted. Costs to Relator.
___________________________________
HON. WILLIAM B. HOFFMAN
___________________________________
HON. SHEILA G. FARMER
___________________________________
HON. PATRICIA A. DELANEY