Ex Parte McMahan

This is a petition for writ of mandamus requesting this Court to order the respondent trial judge to set aside an order staying all discovery in the instant civil action during the pendency of a related criminal case or until further orders of the trial court.

William Terry McMahan brought suit against Eloise Cook and Richard A. Colegrove, Jr., after Colegrove, as attorney for Cook, sent a letter to McMahan stating, "As a result of your fraud, fraudulent practice, and misrepresentation, Ms. Cook has lost a considerable amount of money." The letter, dated June 17, 1985, demanded payment of…