Shelby County District Attorney Robby Owens has stepped aside in connection with the case of a state trooper incident in which a Saginaw man was killed.

According to owens, no charges have been filed in the case in which Christopher Lindley, 29, died on Dec. 17 after an altercation with Trooper Michael Braswell Roberts.

He said he and Edmondson are named as plaintiffs in a lawsuit against a methadone clinic which tried to locate near Edmondson’s home in Saginaw.

He said of the relationship, &uot;It creates, at least, the appearance of a conflict of interest.&uot;

And he confirmed that he has recused himself from the case.

Owens said Supernumerary District Attorney Van Davis of St. Clair County will handle the case if there is one.

Owens explained that charges do not necessarily have to be filed nor an investigation finished for a case to come before a grand jury.

He said the grand jury can determine whether charges should be filed.

Reports from authorities at the scene have indicated that an Alabama State Trooper stopped at 11:45 p.m. when he saw a pickup truck on the railroad tracks south of Alabaster on Highway 31. An altercation followed in which Lindley’s family claim the the trooper repeatedly beat and shot their son.

Edmondson is Lindley’s stepfather.