People Ex Rel. Charles v. Telford

Mark Dennis Charles, plaintiff-appellee, was a probationary policeman for the City of Springfield, serving under Mayor William C. Telford and police chief William T. Hall, defendants-appellants herein. Charles was summarily discharged by Hall after serving over 11 months in this status. Thereafter, Charles filed a complaint for a writ of mandamus seeking reinstatement; the defendants answered, and each side filed motions for summary judgment; Charles’ motion was allowed and the appellants’ motion was denied.

Numerous issues are raised on appeal: the appropriateness of mandamus as a remedy, the…