Nixon was named as an unindicted co-conspirator long before Ford pardoned him. Why wasn't he indicted instead?

Nixon was named as an unindicted co-conspirator long before Ford pardoned him. Why wasn't he indicted instead?

I'm butthurt. Trump is stuck in me bum.

Because he resigned before he was charged with anything and then pres Ford issued his official pardon and put an end to the whole fiasco.