Angel Downs Murder: Testimony Continues in Case Against Stephen Nodine

BAY MINETTE, Ala. (CBS/AP/WKRG) Testimony began Tuesday and continued Wednesday in the trial of former Mobile County Commissioner Stephen Nodine in the May 9 shooting death of 45-year-old Gulf Shores real estate agent Angel Downs.

PICTURES: Angel Downs Murdered; Stephen Nodine Charged

Downs' sister Susan Bloodworth, 43, testified Tuesday that Downs sent her a text message saying Nodine was at her home minutes before she died from a gunshot wound to the head.

On Wednesday, she told the jury that her sister was trying to move on with her life after a six-year affair with Nodine, who according to Bloodworth's testimony, Angel Downs referred to as "crazy," reports CBS affiliate WKRG.

On cross examination, Bloodworth admitted that she did not know that Downs had spent the day she died, as well as the previous two days, with Nodine.

Jurors were then shown bloody pictures and a video from the scene of Angel Downs' death, as they heard testimony from a Gulf Shores police officer and a paramedic. The first responders testified about what they observed at the scene, including what the paramedic described as the "peculiar" way Angel Downs' hair was fanned out around her head.

On cross examination, the paramedic acknowledged that his first priority was providing medical attention to Angel Downs and admitted he and did not make any effort to avoid touching blood at the scene.

A woman who lived next door to Downs in Fairhope also took the stand Wednesday morning, testifying about a night in April 2009 when she saw a drunken Nodine banging on Angel Downs' door and screaming for her to open it.

In addition to murder, Nodine is also charged with stalking and with an ethics charge for misuse of his county-issued pickup truck. Nodine's defense team has suggested Downs committed suicide, and said in opening statements that Downs had various prescription drugs and alcohol in her body when she died. 

COMPLETE COVERAGE OF ANGEL DOWNS ON CRIMESIDER