BAY MINETTE, Alabama — Baldwin County Circuit Judge Charles Partin this afternoon refused to continue a state request to continue motions hearings in the trial of Stephen Nodine, accused of murder in the death of Angel Downs.

Partin said motions to reduce bond in the newest cases, sever the two newest charges and a dismissal of criminally negligent homicide charges will be heard on schedule tomorrow at 9 a.m. at the Baldwin County Courthouse in Bay Minette.

State Attorney General Luther Strange asked for continuance after taking over prosecutorial duties last week from Baldwin County District Attorney Hallie Dixon.

 Former Baldwin County district attorney David Whetstone has been asked by the Alabama Attorney General’s Office to serve as lead prosecutor in the case.

Whetstone, noting he would serve in the capacity of “supernumerary” prosecutor, said he was contacted by Attorney General Luther Strange to  assist in the Nodine case as lead prosecutor, Whetstone said, and he agreed to do so.

Nodine, currently in a Florida prison on a federal gun charge, was indicted for murder after his mistress, Angel Downs, was found dead in the driveway of her Gulf Shores condo on May 9, 2010. She had been shot once in the head. Nodine served as a Mobile County commissioner at the time of his arrest.he said.