Ex Parte Thomas

Billy Thomas, an inmate incarcerated in the Limestone Correctional Facility in Capshaw, petitions for a writ of mandamus directing Judge James W. Woodroof to grant his request to proceed in forma pauperis on a petition seeking medical treatment. We grant the petition in part.

Thomas petitioned the Circuit Court of Limestone County, in December 1997, for medical treatment. He alleged that he was suffering from head pains, chest pains, irregular heartbeat, blurred vision, and dizziness. Thomas alleged that he had informed the medical staff at the prison of the problems, but that he had been…