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Convict on Utah's Death Row for Decades Makes Bail
Newser • • nation
Key Points:
- A Utah judge ordered the release on bail of Douglas Stewart Carter, who spent decades on death row for a 1985 murder, after new DNA evidence excluded him as a match to blood and genetic material found at the crime scene.
- Carter was originally sentenced to death based on a coerced confession and witness testimony, both of which have since been discredited, with the state Supreme Court ordering a new trial due to investigator misconduct.
- Despite the DNA evidence, Judge Derek Pullan noted a reasonable jury could still find Carter guilty but imposed conditions on his release, including GPS monitoring and no contact with the victim's family.
- The victim's family expressed serious concerns about Carter's release, emphasizing the DNA results did not conclusively prove his innocence or involvement in the crime.
- Carter's defense highlighted the psychological trauma from 41 years on death row, underscoring the complexity of his release beyond just the legal decision.
