BRASWELL v. COLLINS-DENNIS

Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA INDIANAPOLIS DIVISION

ANDRE V. BRASWELL, ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) v. ) No. 1:24-cv-00680-JPH-CSW ) ALICIA COLLINS-DENNIS, ) DEBORAH OATS LIGHTFOOT, ) TANNIKA LIGHTFOOT PATTON, ) ) Defendants. )

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF'S MOTION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS The Court entered final judgment and dismissed this case in August 2024 for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction. Dkts. 20, 21. The Court denied Plaintiff Andre Braswell's motion for reconsideration in January 2025. Dkt. 27. Mr. Braswell has now filed a "petition for writ of mandamus." Dkt. [28]. Mr. Braswell seeks a "writ of mandamus" that would "compel the Superior Court of Marion County, Indiana (Superior Court 12), to cease all further proceedings in Cause No. 49D12-2102-MI-003676." Id. at 1. Mr. Braswell argues that the Court has jurisdiction to issue this writ pursuant to the All Writs Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1651. Id. at 2. Federal courts "cannot, as a general rule . . . use our power to issue mandamus to a state judicial officer to control or interfere with state court litigation, thus exceeding our jurisdiction." In re Campbell, 264 F.3d 730, 731 (7th Cir. 2001) (citations omitted); see also Coniston Corp. v. Vill. of Hoffman Ests., 844 F.2d 461, 469 (7th Cir. 1988) ("[T]he [district] court had . . . no jurisdiction to issue a mandamus against state officials for violating their duties under state law."). Here, Mr. Braswell seeks an order from this Court directing the Marion County Superior Court to "[i]mmediately cease all proceedings," "[a]jcknowledge the exclusive jurisdiction of this Court," and "[o|rder dismissal of any claims inconsistent with federal law." Dkt. 28 at 3. This Court lacks jurisdiction to do so. Coniston Corp., 844 F.2d at 469; In re Campbell, 264 F.3d at 731 (explaining that the All Writs Act does not enlarge the Court's jurisdiction); Banks v. People of Ill, 258 F. App'x 902, 902 (7th Cir. 2007). Therefore, Mr. Braswell's motion for a writ of mandamus is DENIED. Dkt. [28]. This case remains closed. SO ORDERED. Date: 3/27/2025 Sjamnu Patnaik Hanbore James Patrick Hanlon United States District Judge Distribution: Southern District of Indiana

ANDRE V. BRASWELL 2816 N. Central Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46205 All electronically registered counsel