Court Opinion

ID: 9588443
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 23:34:32.889318+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:00:58.847000
License: Public Domain

BRETT, Judge
(specially concurring).
While I agree with my colleague that the defendant richly deserves the punishment imposed in the judgments and sentences herein, I believe that the charges should have been consolidated into one Information under separate counts. There can be no doubt but that this series of acts occurred in one transaction, or one course of events. These two appeals were consolidated because the evidence was the same and in the terms of the majority opin*449ion, “Because of similar issues which are urged in the appeals, the cases have been consolidated for decision.” If this Court is justified in consolidating these opinions for the reasons stated herein, then the trials on the separate charges should have been accomplished under one information with separate counts listed therein. It is sheer folly to claim that the courts are being bogged down by trials and appeals when the district attorneys persist in filing separate informations, when one information would serve the same purpose.
I believe the proper administration of justice would at least warrant the making of these sentences to run concurrently, and if time permitted, I would write a dissertation to warrant such position. However, under existing conditions such becomes extremely difficult. I believe the sentences are excessive as they are outlined in this opinion, and because of the dual prosecution, these sentences do shock my conscience, notwithstanding the provisions of Roberts v. State, supra. But being in the minority and feeling that the defendant is entitled to severe punishment, I am bound to concur in the results of this decision insofar as it affirms the conviction, but I reserve my exceptions as briefly stated herein.