Ala. Code § 15-18-100: Postponing Execution of Sentence Pending Commutation or Pardon.

When any defendant is convicted and sentenced to death or to imprisonment in the penitentiary, the presiding judge, if he is of the opinion that such defendant should be pardoned, may postpone the execution of the sentence for such time as may appear necessary to obtain the action of the Governor on an application for commutation of the death sentence and action of the Board of Pardons and Paroles on an application for pardon.