Angel Downs Update: Steve Nodine's Murder Trial May be Delayed

MOBILE, Ala. (CBS) Angel Downs was found in dead in her driveway in May, a single gunshot wound to the head. Her friends and family believe they know who did it - her married lover, Steve Nodine, a now former Mobile County Commissioner.

But their wait for justice might be delayed due to a scheduling conflict.

PICTURES: Angel Downs Murdered; Stephen Nodine Charged

Nodine's defense team was notified that the scheduled December 8 murder trial may be pushed back by a capital murder trial scheduled in November that is anticipated to drag on into early December, according to local station WALA.

Nodine filed a motion in August to expedite his murder trial, requesting a September date, but instead received the December date. His attorney, Dennis Knizley, said Tuesday that in light of the possible delay they may ask to have Nodine's trial date pushed up to October, according to WALA.

If Nodine's case is not heard as currently scheduled, it will go on the next criminal trial docket in 2011.

Nodine is also facing federal gun charges in a trial already set to begin in October. His attorneys in that case filed a motion asking the court to select a jury from outside south Alabama, according to CBS affiliate WKRG.

According to the motion, which was filed Monday in federal court, Nodine has experienced "hostility" resulting from "one-sided coverage", "leaks of false information" and "extensive negative pretrial publicity."

The motion, which does not cite specific examples, also contends "Internet rumors, unverifiable accounts and misinformation about the defendant have been reported, in whole or in part, as legitimate news."

Nodine is accused of possessing a gun while addicted to a controlled substance. He also faces drug charges in Mobile County.

Knizley, Nodine's attorney in the murder case, has said he believes an impartial jury can be found in Baldwin County for that trial.

Complete Coverage of Angel Downs Murder Case on Crimesider