BAY MINETTE, Ala. — A state-paid forensic pathologist continued testimony Monday in the death of Angel Downs, describing damage to a clothing button, abrasions on her back and the apparent fanning of her 21.5-inch hair length as evidence that the body was moved after she was shot in the head at point blank range.

Dr. James Downs, who is not related to the victim, also noted small wounds on Down’s hand which are consistent with defensive wounds.

“She had to have been moved down,” Downs told the jury. “Hair doesn’t typically stand up like the Bride of Frankenstein. It is evidence of staging. The hair being out is the strongest element of the scene being staged.”

Former Mobile County Commissioner Stephen Nodine is charged with murder in Down’s death. The state contends Nodine shot Downs in the head in the driveway of her Gulf Shores condo May 9, then sped away in his county issued truck.

Defense attorney Dennis Knizley argues that Downs took her own life moments after Nodine left the scene.

Knizley said several individuals moved the body during resuscitation efforts.

Knizley also said small cuts on Downs hand may have been a result of opening numerous “pop top” cans earlier that day at the beach.

Downs testified that the presence of three depressants and amphetamines had no significant impact on her judgment and were not factors in the case.

Knizley countered that the drugs caused a lessening of inhibition and may have been a factor in suicide.

Downs said he did not specifically ask for all medications collected or what was prescribed.

“It would be nice to have that information, but it would not change my findings in this case,” Downs said.

Knizley then offered a November 2007 Police Chief Magazine article, authored by Downs, which stated that collection of all containers of prescriptions and over-the-counter medications administered or prescribed would be helpful for any medical examiner.

In other testimony, Sheriff’s investigator and firearms expert Brad Burks said he fired 10 rounds in the 9mm automatic pistol, noting the ejected casing traveled 12 feet to the rear and six feet to the right.

He said the distance may change as the magazine spring loses tension as it is emptied, but the angle is stable.

He also said he saw no signs of the weapon being dropped on a hard surface.

He said if a casing hits a rock or other ground obstruction, the direction might be altered.

Knizley said the casing was found near a tree in the driveway. He also said Downs may have turned her head with the pistol pointed at her skull as she watched Nodine drive away, altering the direction of the cartridge ejection.