On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Dameon Green filed a complaint for a writ of mandamus in the Ohio Supreme Court against Scioto County Common Pleas Judge Howard H. Harcha III. Green, an inmate at Chillicothe Correctional Institution, alleges that Judge Harcha has failed to rule on a motion Green filed in Scioto County Common Pleas Court Case No. 22-CR-684.
According to the filing, Green was indicted by the Scioto County Grand Jury on drug-related offenses in Case No. 22-CR-684. The case was assigned to Judge Harcha, and Green was subsequently convicted after pleading guilty.
Green asserts that on June 13, 2025, he properly filed a Motion to Withdraw Guilty Plea with the Scioto County Clerk of Courts Office under Case No. 22-CR-684, in accordance with Criminal Rule 32.1. He claims this motion has been pending for over 120 days without a ruling from Judge Harcha.
In his complaint, Green argues that Judge Harcha has a legal duty to rule on any motions, applications, or petitions filed under Case No. 22-CR-684, as he is the assigned judge. Green further contends that he lacks an adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law due to Judge Harcha’s failure to rule on his motion.
Green is requesting that the Ohio Supreme Court direct Judge Harcha to immediately respond to the Motion to Withdraw Guilty Plea. He also seeks any other relief the court deems fair and just.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
