Steve Marshall responds to ‘reprehensible’ attacks from Republican AG candidate

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is pushing back hard against what he labels as “false allegations” regarding his office’s handling of the manslaughter conviction of former Montgomery police officer Aaron Cody Smith. Smith, who served time following the 2016 fatal shooting of Gregory Gunn, recently appeared in an advertisement for Republican attorney general candidate and former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Jay Mitchell.

A Heated Primary Runoff

Mitchell, who is competing against Marshall’s chief counsel Katherine Robertson in the upcoming Republican primary runoff, has continuously asserted that the attorney general’s office oversaw a “wrongful prosecution” of Smith. In the ad, Smith expresses frustration, claiming the office did not provide sufficient support during his legal ordeal.

Marshall fired back at the accusations, calling the political attacks “reprehensible.” He stated, “I find it reprehensible that someone who wants to hold the office of Attorney General would, for an attempt at political gain, recklessly attack the office he wants to lead.”

Marshall Defends His Record

Smith was convicted of manslaughter in 2019 by a Dale County jury and sentenced to 14 years in prison. Marshall noted that his office eventually intervened in the case following a rule 32 petition. “Years later, when the case returned to the trial court, my office took the extremely rare step of intervening and offering the officer a plea agreement that would permit the officer to immediately return home,” Marshall explained.

Beyond the plea deal, Marshall said his office supported Smith by providing a recommendation for a state job and assisting in efforts to obtain a pardon. Robertson also defended the office's actions, stating, “Like Attorney General Marshall, I stand by the work of our Office. Despite what Mr. Smith has now been led to believe, I do not regret helping him and wish him well.”

Conflict Over Public Records

Tensions remain high regarding public communications. While the attorney general's office initially shared a thank-you letter from Smith following his release, it was later removed. Mitchell’s campaign labeled the original publication an act of intimidation. Documents reveal that Smith’s attorney, Hayden Glass Sizemore, requested the removal, citing that the publication of employment details posed a “serious safety risk.”

Smith later responded to Marshall's statement on Facebook, questioning why he was required to accept a plea for a “wrongful conviction” to secure his freedom.

The race between Mitchell and Robertson concludes with the runoff election on June 16.