BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Jurors deliberated about six hours Monday before finding former Mobile County Commissioner Stephen Nodine guilty of an ethics violation, but failed to reach a verdict on stalking and murder charges involving the May 9 death of Angel Downs.

Baldwin County Circuit Judge Charles Partin set sentencing on the ethics violation for Feb. 16. That charge relates to Nodine using a county-issued truck for personal business in Baldwin County.

Jurors pored over hundreds of exhibits introduced during the two weeks of testimony, including photographs, cell phone records and audio-visual recordings before reaching a deadlock.

Incoming Baldwin County District Attorney Hallie Dixon said Tuesday she “will definitely” review the case when she takes office, but could not comment until she reviews the case file. She takes office Jan. 17.

“I will treat the case as if it just came across my desk,” Dixon said. “I need to determine if evidence convinces me he is guilty, and of what. I also need to determine if I can prove it.”

Dixon said she will contact the victim’s family before making any statement.

Partin declared a mistrial late Monday after jurors said they were deadlocked. Nine of the 12 jurors were women, and three women held out for acquittal.

Speaking generally, Dixon said the gender factor is considered during jury selection, but is not a reliable factor to predict how they will act on evidence.

“It depends more on life experience, the framework of a person’s life, their occupation and other factors,” she said. “In any case, the key is how strong your evidence is.”

During closing arguments Friday, Baldwin County District Attorney Judy Newcomb said Nodine was upset that Downs was dating other people and wanted to end their six year relationship.

On May 9, the couple spent a day at the beach and were seen holding hands and later went to Downs’ Gulf Shores condo. Nodine left, then returned to get his wallet around dusk, according to testimony.

Newcomb contends Nodine used Down’s pistol to kill her before speeding off in his truck.

She told jurors Friday the “totality of the crime scene” is consistent with someone holding her while firing the fatal shot to the head.

“Angel Downs is not a suicide victim,” Newcomb said. “She was murdered.”

Defense attorney Dennis Knizley said Downs had suicidal tendencies and one documented suicide attempt which required hospitalization in 2006.

He argued that there were no eyewitnesses and no blood found on Nodine’s person, clothes or truck. He said the two often had lovers’ spats, but were devoted to each other and drawn back to the relationship.

He said love letters showed their intent for a long-term relationship.

“If you convict on this kind of evidence, you might as well burn the courthouse down,” Knizley told jurors in closing arguments.