Mandamus denied; hint given.

In re Darden joins the line of cases in which the Fifth Circuit denied a mandamus petition while offering guidance on the issue presented. Darden sought relief from the trial court’s proposed jury charge on a key issue in a wrongful-death case, and the Court held:

Darden has other adequate means to attain the relief he desires. We are satisfied that on these facts, a writ of mandamus would be inappropriate. Nevertheless, we suggest that the following additional question in the verdict form, one for each officer, upon which the jury’s other findings would not be conditioned, would clearly comply with this court’s prior opinion and possibly avoid another appeal regarding these instructions after a verdict.

QUESTION NO. [#]

Do you find from a preponderance of the evidence that [officer’s name] knew or should have known of the existence and extent of Jermaine Darden’s preexisting conditions?

No. 20-10065 (Feb. 7, 2020).