Utah Prosecutors Say DNA Evidence Doesn't Match Man Who Spent Decades on Death Row
The county office is reassessing the case after DNA testing found an unknown male profile at the crime scene, officials said.
- On Wednesday, the Utah County Attorney's Office announced it will no longer seek the death penalty for Douglas Stewart Carter in his upcoming retrial for the 1985 murder of Eva Olesen.
- DNA analysis received Tuesday excluded Carter as a match to blood found on a doorknob and knife handle at the crime scene, prompting the state to reassess its prosecution strategy.
- Defense attorneys allege that police suppressed evidence and coerced Carter's confession, with officers allegedly coaching two witnesses to lie by threatening them with deportation if they did not implicate him.
- Attorney Neal Hamilton urged prosecutors on Thursday to dismiss charges and requested a bond hearing, stating, "It's not time to try to save face and continue with a tainted prosecution."
- The Utah Supreme Court ordered a new trial last year citing investigator misconduct, though Carter remains in custody while maintaining his innocence in the 1985 home invasion and murder case.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Utah prosecutors say DNA evidence doesn’t match man who spent decades on death row
Prosecutors are dropping their plan to seek the death penalty in an upcoming retrial of a Utah man who spent decades on death row for a 1985 killing in which newly analyzed DNA evidence did not match him.
Utah prosecutors say DNA evidence doesn't match man who spent dec
Prosecutors are dropping their plan to seek the death penalty in an upcoming retrial of a Utah man who spent decades on death row for a 1985 killing in which newly analyzed DNA evidence did not match
Crime scene DNA doesn’t match a former Utah death row inmate. After 41 years, prosecutors drop their pursuit to execute him.
Douglas Carter spent decades on Utah’s death row. Now, crime scene DNA doesn’t match him — and prosecutors will no longer seek his execution.
Utah County Attorney's Office won't seek death penalty in Douglas Carter case
In a surprise announcement, the Utah County Attorney's Office has withdrawn its intent to seek the death penalty for Douglas Carter in his upcoming trial after spending years on death row.
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