Utah prosecutors drop death penalty request for man on death row

Utah prosecutors have announced they are withdrawing their intent to seek the death penalty in the upcoming retrial of Douglas Stewart Carter, 71, who has spent decades on death row. The decision follows new DNA analysis that excluded Carter as a match to blood found on a doorknob and material on a knife handle used in the 1985 killing of Eva Olesen.

Carter was originally convicted based on a signed confession, which he claims was coerced, and testimony from two witnesses. The Utah Supreme Court ordered a new trial last year due to investigator misconduct. While the new DNA evidence does not automatically exonerate Carter, County Attorney Jeffrey Gray stated the state is reexamining its decision to proceed with the case.

Carter’s attorney, Neal Hamilton, has urged prosecutors to dismiss all charges entirely and requested a bond hearing, arguing that the prosecution is “tainted.” A retrial is currently scheduled to begin next July.