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Rice v. Underwood, Governor
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS OF WEST VIRGINIA
September 1998 Term
No. 25166
THOMAS D. RICE,
Appellant

v.
THE HONORABLE CECIL H. UNDERWOOD,
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA,
Appellee

Appeal from the Circuit Court of Kanawha County
Honorable A. Andrew MacQueen, Judge
Civil Action No. 97-MISC-424

AFFIRMED

Submitted: October 7, 1998
Filed: December 11, 1998

Thomas P. Maroney, Esq.  Darrell V. McGraw, Jr., Esq.
Charleston, West Virginia                                 Attorney General
Attorney for Appellant                                      John R. Hoblitzell, Esq.

                                                                        Special Assistant Attorney General                                                                        Charleston, West Virginia                                                                        Attorneys for Appellee
JUSTICE WORKMAN delivered the Opinion of the Court and was joined by CHIEF JUSTICE DAVIS, JUSTICE
MAYNARD and JUDGE JOHN HENNING, sitting by special assignment.
JUSTICE MCCUSKEY, deeming himself disqualified, did not participate in the decision in this case.
JUSTICE STARCHER.
JUSTICE MCGRAW did not participate in the decision of this case.

SYLLABUS BY THE COURT
1. "'The standard of appellate review of a circuit court's order granting relief through the extraordinary writ of mandamus is de novo.' Syllabus Point 1, Staten v. Dean, 195 W.Va. 57, 464 S.E.2d 576 (1995)." Syl. Pt. 1, O'Daniels
v. City of Charleston, 200 W.Va. 711, 490 S.E.2d 800 (1997).
2. "'A writ of mandamus will not issue unless three elements coexist -- (1) a clear legal right in the petitioner to the relief sought; (2) a legal duty on the part of respondent to do the thing which the petitioner seeks to compel; and
(3) the absence of another adequate remedy.' Syllabus Point 1, State ex rel. Billy Ray C. v. Skaff, 190 W.Va. 504, 438 S.E.2d 847 (1993); Syllabus Point 2, State ex rel. Kucera v. City of Wheeling, 153 W.Va. 538, 170 S.E.2d 367 (1969)." Syl. Pt. 2, Staten v. Dean, 195 W.Va. 57, 464 S.E.2d 576 (1995).
3.
"'Where the issue on appeal from the circuit court is clearly a question of law or involving an interpretation of a statute, we apply a de novo standard of review.' Syllabus Point 1, Chrystal R.M. v. Charlie A.L., 194 W.Va. 138, 459 S.E.2d 415 (1995)." Syl. Pt. 1, University of West Virginia Board of Trustees ex rel. West Virginia University v. Fox, 197 W.Va. 91, 475 S.E.2d 91 (1996).

4.
"Code, 6-6-4, is not unconstitutional as being in conflict with Section 10 of Article VII, Section 1 of Article V, or Section 1 of Article VI of the State Constitution." Syl. Pt. 4, State ex rel. Thompson v. Morton, 140 W.Va. 207, 84 S.E.2d 791 (1954).

5.
West Virginia Code

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West Virginia Law