MONTGOMERY, AL — Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has issued a statement responding to what he described as “demonstrably false allegations” made in a recent campaign advertisement by a candidate seeking the office of Attorney General.
In the statement, Marshall criticized the candidate for what he characterized as attacks on the Attorney General’s Office and its record, saying the allegations could not go unanswered.
Marshall’s response centered on the case of former Montgomery police officer Cody Smith. According to Marshall, Smith was prosecuted by a former Montgomery County district attorney, charged with murder, and ultimately convicted of manslaughter. Marshall stated that the Attorney General’s Office became involved during the appellate process as part of its legal responsibilities.
Marshall said that when the case later returned to the trial court, the Attorney General’s Office took what he described as the rare step of intervening and offering Smith a plea agreement that allowed for his release from prison. He noted that the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office opposed the resentencing and asked the court to maintain Smith’s previous 14-year sentence.
Despite the objection, Marshall said the court accepted the agreement and Smith was released.
The attorney general further stated that following Smith’s release, his office provided a recommendation for a state job and recently sought to assist Smith in obtaining a pardon.
Marshall said members of his office were particularly troubled by the campaign allegations because Smith had previously expressed appreciation for their assistance. He referenced a letter Smith sent to the Attorney General’s Office thanking staff for their efforts in his case.
“What makes this especially difficult, and personal to so many in my office, is that Officer Smith himself sent us a letter thanking us for our assistance in his case,” Marshall said in the statement.
Marshall added that he remains sympathetic to Smith and would continue to support him despite the current political dispute.
The statement was released as the 2026 campaign for Alabama Attorney General continues to develop. Marshall did not identify the candidate referenced in the statement.
A copy of the letter referenced by Marshall is available through the Alabama Attorney General’s Office website.
