Opinion ID: 1179411
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: the post-conviction order

Text: On May 15, 1987, this Court ordered the filing of supplemental briefs on the issues of the findings on remand regarding the destroyed and potentially exculpatory evidence and further ordered the consolidation of all collateral post-conviction issues into one single proceeding. Defendant Fain contends that this Court's order requiring such consolidation violated his constitutional right to equal protection since non-death penalty defendants are not required to raise and pursue all grounds for post-conviction relief under an equally restricted and limited time schedule. We disagree and reaffirm our position that such consolidation orders are appropriate in order to reasonably expedite the processing of these cases in a manner that both protects the defendant's right to fair trial, while also accommodating the public's interest in the elimination of endless delay occasioned by multiple, serial appeals. We have considered appellant's additional assignments of error and find them to be without merit. Conviction affirmed, remanded for resentencing. SHEPARD, C.J., concurs in the result. BAKES, J., concurs in Parts I, II, III, IV, VI(A), (B) and (C), and VII; concurs specially in Part V. HUNTLEY, J., concurs in part and dissents in part. JOHNSON, J., concurs as to Parts I, II (Chilton), III, IV, VI(A) and (C), and VII; concurs specially as to Part VI(B); and dissents as to Parts II (Roberson), and V. BISTLINE, J., concurs in Part I; concurs specially in IV; and dissents as to Parts II, III, V, VI, VII.