4th Cir.

In re ROBERT K. DECKER

June 30, 2026 ·26-1396 ·Per Curiam · By James Taylor

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit denied a petition for a writ of mandamus filed by Robert K. Decker. The court found no evidence of undue delay by the district court in ruling on his habeas corpus petition.

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Background

Robert K. Decker, proceeding pro se, petitioned the Fourth Circuit for a writ of mandamus directed to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. He alleged that the district court had unduly delayed in ruling on his petition for a writ of habeas corpus under twenty-eight United States Code, section two thousand two hundred forty-one.

The court’s reasoning

The court reviewed the present record and determined that it did not reveal undue delay in the district court’s handling of the case. Because the facts and legal contentions were adequately presented in the materials before the court, the panel dispensed with oral argument, noting that argument would not aid the decisional process.

What it means going forward

The denial of the mandamus petition leaves the district court’s timeline for ruling on the habeas petition undisturbed, as the appellate court found no basis to intervene.