Man released on bail after 41 years on death row

September 29, 2026

Douglas Stewart Carter, a 71-year-old man who spent 41 years on death row in Utah for the 1985 murder of Eva Olesen, has been released on bail after new DNA testing excluded him as a match to evidence from the crime scene. Carter was originally convicted based on a confession he claims was forced and testimony from two witnesses who later admitted in 2011 that police had paid them and threatened deportation to secure false testimony against him. The Utah Supreme Court ordered a new trial last year due to investigator misconduct, including allegations that evidence pointing to the victim's husband was suppressed.

Who is affected

Douglas Stewart Carter (the defendant, now 71 years old)
Eva Olesen (the murder victim from 1985)
Eva Olesen's family members, including daughter-in-law Theresa Olesen
Orla Olesen (the victim's husband, who died in 2009 and was allegedly a suspect)
Two witnesses who testified against Carter and later recanted
Carter's defense attorney, Neal Hamilton
The prosecutors and investigators involved in the original case

What action is being taken

Carter is being released on bail
Carter is required to wear a GPS monitor while on bail
Carter is awaiting a new trial (ordered by the Utah Supreme Court)

Why it matters

This case highlights critical flaws in the criminal justice system, including coerced confessions, witness intimidation, and prosecutorial misconduct that nearly led to the execution of a potentially innocent man. The DNA evidence excluding Carter, combined with revelations that witnesses were bribed and threatened to provide false testimony, demonstrates how investigator misconduct can result in wrongful convictions. After 41 years of imprisonment for a crime he may not have committed, this case underscores the irreversible nature of capital punishment and the importance of rigorous evidence standards in death penalty cases.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article beyond Carter awaiting a new trial.

Read full article from source: BBC