Former Mobile County Commissioner Pardoned After Lengthy Legal Battle

Stephen Nodine says pardon was 'long time coming' after charges related to 2010 murder case

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Former Mobile County Commissioner Stephen Nodine has been granted a state pardon for a felony perjury conviction and two misdemeanors related to a high-profile 2010 murder case. Nodine was charged with murdering a woman he was having an affair with, but the murder trial ended in a hung jury. He later pleaded guilty to a perjury charge for not being forthcoming about his finances on a form requesting a court-appointed lawyer. Nodine has maintained his innocence and believes he was treated unfairly, calling the charges 'spaghetti on the wall' that were used to 'save face.' The pardon board granted the pardon, which Nodine says was a 'long time coming' after a lengthy legal battle.

Why it matters

Nodine's case was closely watched locally and nationally, leading to the end of his political career. The pardon raises questions about selective prosecution and the fairness of the legal system, especially for high-profile individuals. It also highlights the challenges of overcoming past convictions, even when there are doubts about the charges.

The details

Nodine was charged with murdering a woman he was having an affair with in 2010, but a murder trial ended with a hung jury. He later pleaded guilty to a felony perjury charge for not being forthcoming about his finances on a form requesting a court-appointed lawyer. The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles has now granted him a full pardon for that conviction, as well as two misdemeanors - domestic violence-harassment and an ethics charge related to his personal use of a county vehicle.

  • The murder trial took place in 2010.
  • Nodine pleaded guilty to the perjury charge in the years following the murder trial.
  • The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles granted Nodine's pardon in 2026.

The players

Stephen Nodine

A former Mobile County Commissioner who was charged with murder in 2010 but later pleaded guilty to a perjury charge. He has now been granted a full pardon by the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Angel Downs

The woman Nodine was having an affair with, who was found dead in 2010. Prosecutors alleged Nodine shot her, but Nodine maintained she committed suicide.

Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles

The state agency that granted Nodine a full pardon for his convictions.

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What they’re saying

“It's just been a long time coming. It's unfortunate. The whole thing happened 15 years ago, but I want to thank the Pardon and Paroles Board for granting me a full pardon, and we're gonna move on with the rest of my life.”

— Stephen Nodine, Former Mobile County Commissioner (FOX10 News)

“These charges were thrown at me to allow the state to save face. These charges were just spaghetti on the wall, and they just needed to hit me with something.”

— Stephen Nodine, Former Mobile County Commissioner (FOX10 News)

What’s next

Nodine still has a federal conviction on his record for being a drug abuser in possession of firearms, which he pleaded guilty to while awaiting trial on the murder charge. He says he is pursuing a pardon from President Donald Trump for that offense.

The takeaway

Nodine's case highlights the complexities and controversies that can surround high-profile legal battles, especially when they involve powerful political figures. The pardon raises questions about selective prosecution and the fairness of the justice system, while also underscoring the challenges of overcoming past convictions even when there are doubts about the charges.