UNPUBLISHED
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT
No. 18-2468
In re: MARSHA KING,
Petitioner.
On Petition for Writ of Mandamus.
(2:14-cr-00065-RAJ-DEM-1; 2:17-cv-00644-RAJ)
Submitted: March 14, 2019 Decided: March 18, 2019
Before WYNN and RICHARDSON, Circuit Judges, and TRAXLER, Senior Circuit
Judge.
Petition denied by unpublished per curiam opinion.
Marsha King, Petitioner Pro Se.
Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.
PER CURIAM:
Marsha King petitions for a writ of mandamus seeking an order from this court
directing the district court judge to recuse himself in King’s criminal and 28 U.S.C.
§ 2255 (2012) proceedings. Mandamus relief is a drastic remedy and should be used only
in extraordinary circumstances. Kerr v. U.S. Dist. Ct., 426 U.S. 394, 402 (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).
Although mandamus may be used to seek recusal of a district court judge, the
nature of the alleged bias must be personal and not arising out of litigation. In re Beard,
811 F.2d 818, 827 (4th Cir. 1987). Additionally, mandamus may not be used as a
substitute for appeal. Id. at 826; see In re Lockheed Martin Corp., 503 F.3d 351, 353 (4th
Cir. 2007).
We conclude that King is not entitled to mandamus relief. Accordingly, although
we grant leave to proceed in forma pauperis, we deny King’s petition for a 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
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