ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT

NOT DESIGNATED FOR PUBLICATION

PER CURIAM

JUNE 28, 2001

BENJAMIN WILLIAMS

Appellant

v.

LARRY NORRIS, Director,

Arkansas Department of Correction

Appellee

00-37

APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, NO. CIV-97-80, HONORABLE L. T. SIMES II, JUDGE

PETITION FOR REHEARING DENIED

Appellant, acting pro se, appealed the denial of his petition for writ of mandamus and declaratory relief by the Lee County Circuit Court. On May 17, 2001, we affirmed the circuit court's order. Williams v. State, CR 00-37 (Ark. May 17, 2001). Appellant, acting through counsel for the first time in this case, now petitions for rehearing. Rule 2-3(k) of the Rules of the Arkansas Supreme Court, however, provides that litigants will not be permitted to substitute new counsel for the purpose of filing a petition for rehearing. Accordingly, we decline to consider the rehearing petition because it was filed in violation of Rule 2-3(k).

Petition denied.