Stephen Nodine Steps Down as County Commissioner after Murder Charge in Angel Downs' Death

MOBILE, Ala. (CBS/AP) Stephen Nodine, who is charged with the murder of his alleged mistress Angel Downs, opted to resign from his position as Mobile County commissioner rather than face an impeachment hearing.

PICTURES: Angel Downs Murdered; Stephen Nodine Charged

County spokeswoman Nancy Johnson told the Press-Register that Nodine sent a letter of resignation Thursday. He had served on the commission since 2004.

Nodine was indicted May 14 by a grand jury on charges including fraudulently purchasing more than 2,400 Lortab painkillers from nine pharmacies in four states and abusing Downs.

Baldwin County authorities announced Monday that Nodine is their only suspect in the May 9 murder of Angel Downs in the driveway of her Gulf Shores, Ala. home, about 50 miles south of Mobile.

Nodine could spend Memorial Day weekend locked up in the Baldwin County Corrections Center's maximum security wing, because he has been unable to post a 500-thousand dollar bond, according to CBS affiliate WKRG.

PICTURES: Angel Downs Murdered; Stephen Nodine Charged

Nodine's attorney is expected to ask a judge for a bond reduction Friday, but at Nodine's bond hearing Wednesday Baldwin County District Attorney Judy Newcomb said she considers the former commissioner a flight risk and will likely fight a bond reduction.

"As of today, there's been no movement on bond whatsoever," says Major Anthony Lowery with the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office.

A probate judge set a primary election to fill the now vacant Mobile County Commission District 2 seat for July 13.

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May 27, 2010 - Angel Downs' Ex Calls Alabama Commissioner Stephen Nodine a "Player"
May 26, 2010 - Stephen Nodine, Alabama County Commissioner, Charged in Alleged Mistress Angel Downs' Murder