Nodine case will go back to grand jury

BAY MINETTE, Ala. (WALA) - The Baldwin County District Attorney's office said Wednesday it has an abundance of new evidence in the case against former county commissioner Steve Nodine, and that's why case will once again be presented to a grand jury.

"The new evidence actually mandates us to take it back to a grand jury. The grand jury in Baldwin County can hear the entire case, the entire facts, new and old evidence, and make a decision from there," said Dixon.

This decision has been in the hands of District Attorney Hallie Dixon for seven months, and Dixon said she is ready to present the new evidence and present the old evidence again as well. As far as the charges Nodine will face, Dixon said that will be up to the jury.

"We're not allowed to talk about what we do, who testifies, what they testify, what charges ... anything of that nature. Once a case comes out of the grand jury, the person is arrested with a warrant. At that point, the charges become public," said Dixon. "I can't tell you what we think about his guilt or his innocence. I can't tell you about the strength of the evidence."

As far as new evidence, Dixon said Angel Downs' Blackberry is one new piece to the puzzle. In Nodine's previous murder trial back in December of 2010, that Blackberry was unable to be unlocked.

Dixon had the phone sent to experts who were able to unlock it. Dixon also said the shirt Steve Nodine was wearing on the night of Downs' death is being tested, and those results will be back before the case is presented. Dixon also said her office has met with a blood-splatter expert and an expert on crime scene interpretation.

The conference, which included the D.A.'s office, Angel Downs' family, as well as members of the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office lasted around two and a half hours. Dixon, Baldwin County Sheriff Hoss Mack and Gulf Shores Police Chief Ed Delmore addressed the media afterward.

Members of Downs' family declined to comment on camera, but did tell FOX10's Chasity Byrd they felt encouraged after today's meeting.

Dixon said the grand jury schedule for the rest of the year has been made, and she hopes to present it to one of those juries.