Utah man, 71, released from death row after DNA evidence excludes him in 1985 killing
A 71-year-old man who was convicted of killing a police chief’s aunt and spent decades on death row was released Monday after prosecutors said newly analyzed DNA evidence doesn’t link him to the crime.A Utah judge ordered Douglas Stewart Carter let out on bail late Monday over objections from the victim’s family.Carter is required to wear a GPS monitor while he awaits a new trial in the 1985 killing of Eva Olesen.The state Supreme Court ordered a new trial last year, citing misconduct by investigators.
Carter has maintained his innocence and says a signed confession was coerced.No physical evidence linked him to the crime scene.But the jury convicted Carter, a Black man, based on the confession and the testimony of two witnesses who said he bragged about killing Olesen, who was white.
Those witnesses later recanted.A DNA analysis received Sept.22 excluded Carter as a possible match to blood found on a doorknob and genetic material recovered from the handle of a knife used to stab Olesen, who was also shot.Judge Derek Pullan said those results further undermined the case against Carter, but a reasonable jury still could conclude that he killed Olesen.Carter walked out of jail late Monday, wearing a white shirt and grey sweatpants, with his eyeglasses hanging from around his neck.
His son pushed a cart with pillows, blankets and Carter’s personal belongings beside him.Carter smiled at times while also trying to shield his face behind papers.He didn’t speak to a handful of journalists outside the jail, and got into a vehicle with his son and defense attorney.
A judge ordered him not to have any contact with Olesen’s family.“This is going to be a lot for him,” Carter’s son, Tyler Anger, said as he waited for his father.Carter will be placed in an extended stay hotel near Anger, who was adopted by another family as an infant and didn’t learn about the conviction until years later, said Carter’s attorney Neal Hamilton.Carter also will nee...