Prosecutors drop death-penalty pursuit in Douglas Carter case after new DNA results
Utah prosecutors said they will no longer seek the death penalty for Douglas Carter, whose 1985 murder conviction was recently overturned, citing DNA evidence that excludes him.
After receiving a DNA report that excluded Douglas Carter from biological material found at the 1985 murder scene, Utah prosecutors announced they will no longer request the death penalty. The motion, filed by County Attorney Jeffrey Gray, also calls for a reassessment of the prosecution and Carter's custody conditions. Carter, who has served decades on death row before his conviction was overturned, is still charged with aggravated murder in the killing of Eva Olesen.
His attorney Neal Hamilton said the defense was not warned about the DNA findings and reiterated demands for case dismissal. The court, led by a judge other than retiring Judge Derek Pullan, is set to hold a bail hearing and consider whether Carter’s prior confession can be used. Families of the victim have been notified of the new evidence and the ongoing legal developments.
Why it matters
The case highlights how new forensic evidence can reshape long-standing murder prosecutions and affect death-penalty decisions.
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