New Trial Ordered

Utah Death Row Inmate Released on Bail Ahead of New Trial

Douglas Stewart Carter, a 71-year-old man convicted of murdering the Utah police chief's aunt, Eva Olesen in 1985, has been released on bail over objections from the victim's family. The state Supreme Court ordered a new trial last year, citing misconduct by investigators and Carter maintains his innocence, claiming a signed confession was coerced. A DNA analysis received Sept. 22 excluded Carter as a possible match to blood found on a doorknob and genetic material recovered from the knife used to stab Oleson. Judge Derek Pullan stated that these results undermined the case against Carter, but a reasonable jury could conclude that he killed Olesan. Carter will be placed in an extended stay hotel near Olesden's family and will need therapy to deal with his extended incarceration.

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