BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Baldwin County District Attorney Hallie Dixon and lawmen spent more than two hours with Angel Downs’ family Wednesday afternoon before announcing that new and re-examined evidence against Stephen Nodine will be presented to the Baldwin County grand jury.

Nodine, a former Mobile County Commissioner, is charged with murder in the death of Downs last year. She was found with a single gunshot wound to the head at her Gulf Shores condo.

“We discussed everything with the family and looked at where we are going,” Dixon said following the meeting.

“They lost a loved one. They understand and support us.”

Dixon said the grand jury will examine “substantial new evidence,” including results of a chemical examination to detect blood on the shirt Nodine was wearing the night of Downs’ death.

Grand juries are scheduled in September and November, but Dixon has the authority to call a special session of the panel.

“The grand jury can continue, no bill or true bill the case,” Dixon said. “The only course of action is to let the grand jury look at the case. “Once they make their decision, we can take action on the old charge."

Authorities believe Nodine pulled the trigger and that blood-spatter and other testing may reveal the presence of her blood or brain matter.

A jury was deadlocked on murder and stalking charges in his December murder trial, but he was convicted of an ethics violation involving the personal use of a county vehicle.

Dixon said there were no reports of chemical reactants earlier being put on Nodine clothing to reveal the presence of blood. Tests were limited to a visual exam because the reactants would destroy evidence.