UNPUBLISHED
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT
No. 97-709
In Re: JOHN CORDERO,
Petitioner.
On Petition for Writ of Mandamus. (CA-96-358-3)
Submitted: October 28, 1997 Decided: November 26, 1997
Before WILKINS, MICHAEL, and MOTZ, Circuit Judges.
Petition denied by unpublished per curiam opinion.
John Cordero, Petitioner Pro Se.
Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.
See Local Rule 36(c).
PER CURIAM:
John Cordero, a federal prisoner, brought this petition for a
writ of mandamus seeking an order directing the district court to
take action on a pending motion, to hold an evidentiary hearing on
an additional motion, and to forbid the district court from im-
posing sentence pending appeal. Because the district court sub-
sequently denied Cordero's pending motion, this issue is moot.
Regarding Cordero's desire to have this court order the district
court to hold an evidentiary hearing and to stay sentencing pending
appeal, we note that this court has no authority to order the dis-
trict court to take such action. See In re First Fed. Sav. & Loan
Ass'n, 860 F.2d 135, 138 (4th Cir. 1988) (holding that mandamus
relief may only be invoked when respondent is under clear duty to
do act requested by petitioner). Accordingly, although we grant
leave to appeal in forma pauperis, we deny mandamus relief. 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
2
Cordero v.
Combined Opinion