GRIER v. PEED (2003)

After being convicted of voluntary manslaughter, Barry Grier purported to file several pro se motions, despite the appointment of post-trial counsel.   He subsequently brought this mandamus action against all three of the superior court judges in the circuit (Appellees), seeking to compel them to enter orders regarding those motions.   They recused themselves, and the designated judge dismissed the application for mandamus, finding that Grier received the relief sought and that the issues are now moot.   Grier appeals pro se from this order.

 “Mandamus will not be granted when it is manifest that the writ would, for any cause, be nugatory or fruitless․” OCGA § 9-6-26.   Thus, mandamus “shall not issue when the relief requested has been granted.  [Cit.]”  Dean v. Gober, 272 Ga. 20, 21(1), 524 S.E.2d 722 (2000).   Because Appellees ruled on every motion specified in Grier's petition for mandamus, the trial court correctly dismissed the petition as moot.  Baez v. Miller, 266 Ga. 211, 465 S.E.2d 671 (1996).   Moreover, Appellees were not ever required to enter orders on the pro se motions, because Grier filed them at a time when he was represented by counsel.  Schaefer v. State, 238 Ga.App. 594(1), 519 S.E.2d 248 (1999).   Since Appellees were under no duty to rule on those motions, the extraordinary relief which Grier requested was not authorized at any time.   Scott v. McLaughlin, 258 Ga. 407, 408, 369 S.E.2d 257 (1988).

 Now that Appellees have entered orders on all motions, Grier does not ignore those orders, but attempts to attack them in his appellate brief.   Indeed, he primarily contends that the order denying the amended motion for new trial in the criminal proceeding is void.   However, he filed a notice of appeal in that case and may pursue such issues in the context of that criminal appeal.   Under these circumstances, “ ‘pursuit of the available method of obtaining appellate review, rather than mandamus, is the proper remedy.   (Cits.)’ [Cit.]” Chandler v. Davis, 269 Ga. 727, 728, 504 S.E.2d 440 (1998).   See also Daker v. Ray, 275 Ga. 205, 206(1), 563 S.E.2d 429 (2002) (habeas corpus, rather than mandamus, was the appropriate remedy).

Judgment affirmed.

CARLEY, Justice.

All the Justices concur.