Nodine's Attorney: "He Has Not Shot Anyone"

6:24 p.m.
For the first time since being named a suspect in the murder of Angel Downs, Mobile County Commissioner Stephen Nodine is insisting he didn't do it.

In a statement to News Five, Nodine's attorney, Dennis Knizley, said "Steve Nodine is not guilty. He has not shot anyone. He has not killed anyone, and he was not present when anyone was shot." Knizley went on to say "just as importantly Mr. Nodine wants to say he is very sorry that Ms. Downs has died, and his deepest sympathies go out to the Downs family and they are in his prayers.”

Commissioner Nodine has not spoken publicly since he was arrested Friday on drug charges in Mobile County. While leaving the jail, Nodine told reporters "God will show the way. Have mercy on everyone."

11:30 a.m.
Investigators discovered several stains on the driver's side door of Mobile County Commissioner Stephen Nodine's county truck "that were consistent with blood", according to an affidavit filed Wednesday in Baldwin County Circuit Court.

Detectives also discovered two shell casings from a .40 caliber pistol in the bed of the truck, which most likely came from Commissioner Nodine's county-issued gun and not the 9mm semi-automatic pistol found at the scene.

During the search of Nodine's county truck, investigators also seized, a blue Starter brand shirt, light blue swim trunks, a tag from a Nike shirt, a receipt from Bay Shores Market, a Hilton hotel key card, a blue chair and a "piece of cardboard box from Leed's box." Detectives took two swabs from the stains on the driver's door, a swab from the running board on the driver's side, and eight swabs from inside the truck.

In the application for the search warrant, which was signed May 10, Cpl. Daniel Steelman said there was probable cause to search for "blood, biological tissues, spent shell casings, live shells, hairs, fibers, firearms, receipts, any type of documents to establish the suspect's location at the time of the shooting, cellular telephones, electronic storage devices, media cards, gps devices, pants, shirts, shorts, shoes, socks, hats, napkins, paper towels.

Downs, who was widely known as Nodine's mistress, was discovered dead in the driveway of her Gulf Shores home on Sunday, May 9. Investigators say she was shot once in her head, and Commissioner Nodine, who neighbors saw at Downs' home, is the only suspect in the murder investigation.

During a search of Downs' home, investigators seized a 7 page letter, a 1 page letter, two cell phones, a receipt for a third cell phone, two computers, a camera, emails and photos.

According to the affidavit released Wednesday, a neighbor told police they heard a gun shot, stepped outside and saw a red Ford truck with a blue county tag. Another neighbor identified Commissioner Nodine as the driver of the truck.

Nodine told investigators he left Angel Downs' home before she was killed and drove to Don Pablos, a Mexican restaurant in Malbis. Nodine also told detectives he stopped at a convenience store in Fairhope and purchased a Mountain Dew.

Baldwin County District Attorney Judy Newcomb says the case is expected to be presented to a Grand Jury on Monday.

Nodine has hired a new attorney. Matt Green, who drove Nodine to Mobile Metro Jail when he surrendered Friday on drug charges, is no longer representing the County Commissioner. Nodine has now hired Dennis Knizely and John Williams to represent him in the impeachment proceedings and the murder case.