Final answer:
James Madison's refusal to deliver Marbury's commission led to Marbury filing a petition for a writ of mandamus; however, the Supreme Court could not issue the writ, deeming the relevant provision in the Judiciary Act of 1789 unconstitutional.
Step-by-step explanation:
After William Marbury filed suit, several events occurred in response to his action. First, James Madison refused to deliver Marbury's commission, leading Marbury to file a petition for a writ of mandamus. However, the Supreme Court, under Chief Justice John Marshall, found that while Marbury was entitled to his commission and Madison's refusal to deliver it was illegal, the Court could not issue a writ of mandamus forcing Madison to deliver the commission because the necessary provision in the Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional. Therefore, the correct answer is (b) Marbury filed a petition for a writ of mandamus.