Nodine, attorneys discuss murder charge

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WALA) - Former Mobile County Commissioner Stephen Nodine met with his attorneys Wednesday for the first time after being released from a 15-month federal prison sentence earlier this week.

Nodine, who was convicted on federal gun charges, served 12 months of his 15-month sentence. But, now he must face a retrial for murder charges in the shooting death of his longtime mistress Angel Downs.

Attorney Pascal Bruijn said there was a lot to talk about.

“He has the pressure of a murder trial hanging on him, and that's always difficult. But he's ready to fight,” said Bruijn.

While Nodine didn’t have much to say to FOX10 about the meeting, his attorneys said they are ready for trial.

Nodine faces a murder charge in connection with the shooting death of his longtime mistress Angel Downs.

From the start, Nodine said Downs shot herself.

Wednesday was a chance for his defense team to talk about what lies ahead the second time around.

“There are some motions that need to be filed, some experts that need to be retained, evidence reviewed, some new things that have arisen since he was sent to prison,” said Bruijn.

Special Prosecutor David Whetstone was brought in to re-try Nodine in the Angel Downs murder case and said he’s got a potential game changer.

”We have gone back and analyzed every aspect of the case. There will be new evidence in this case, and the defense may have some new evidence,” said Whetstone.
”Well, we've seen the evidence. It's not compelling in our opinion, and we’re not worried about it,” responded Bruijn.

Currently, Nodine is under 24-hour electronic monitoring and has to check in with federal authorities over the next three years. 

Bruijn said Nodine is expected to be tried again for murder and stalking in Baldwin County sometime in August. 

Nodine is accused of killing Downs on Mother's Day of 2010. His first trial ended in a hung jury in December 2010, and a resulting mistrial.