Man ordered released on bail after decades on Utah’s death row after DNA tests show no match to him

A Utah judge recently ordered the release of 71-year-old Douglas Stewart Carter from death row after new DNA evidence failed to link him to the 1985 murder of Eva Olesen. Carter, who spent decades on death row for the crime, was convicted based on a coerced confession and two witnesses who later recanted their statements. The Utah Supreme Court ordered a new trial last year due to misconduct by investigators.

No physical evidence linked Carter to the crime scene, and his defense team claimed that he was subjected to a false confession after threats from police. Carter will be required to wear a GPS monitor and avoid contact with Olesen's family after his release.