Utah | Judge orders Douglas Carter released after over 40 years on death row

PROVO, Utah (KUTV) — A man convicted in a 1985 capital murder case is to be released after more than four decades on Utah's death row.

A Utah County judge ruled that Douglas Carter could be released on bail as he awaits a potential retrial for the 1985 murder of Eva Olesen. He will be released with certain stipulations, including a required GPS monitor purchased by his attorney and a no-contact order with the victim's family.

The bond hearing took place Monday less than a week after prosecutors dropped the death penalty. This was in response to new evidence showing that Carter's DNA did not match the blood at the crime scene.

Carter's attorneys argued for his release during the bond hearing, referencing the new DNA findings.

The state did not oppose Carter's release, but an Olesen family representative spoke at the hearing, saying they do not believe the new DNA findings exonerate him.

Carter's attorney also released a statement defending the now 71-year-old's innocence and calling on the state to dismiss the charges against him.

“We are profoundly grateful to see Doug finally go home, but we are also heartbroken by the theft of his life,” Attorney Neal Hamilton said.

In the statement, attorneys also alleged that evidence was suppressed and fabricated by prosecutors during the initial investigation into the murder.

"The defense maintains that physical evidence and eyewitness accounts pointed to a white male as the perpetrator, while Carter, a young Black man, was prosecuted for the crime. The defense further contends that as the case against Carter weakened, evidence was fabricated," the statement reads.

Carter was convicted in 1985 of killing Eva Olesen, the aunt of the then-Provo police chief. The case was tried again in 1992, and Carter was given the death penalty for the second time.

In 2022, a judge vacated Carter's conviction and granted him a new trial. The Utah Supreme Court then upheld that decision in 2025.

The case was reevaluated as evidence of police and prosecutor misconduct was exposed.

Two witnesses who testified that he "bragged" about the murder during the initial trial later said that police and prosecutors coerced them to lie in court, threatening them with deportation and offering them money. They said they were coached on what to say in their witness testimonies.

Provo police previously pushed back on the claims, saying the money was offered for witness protection.

Douglas Carter walks out of Utah County Jail

Carter was released on bail as he awaits a potential retrial in the 1985 murder of Eva Olesen.

He walked out of the Utah County Jail and was immediately greeted by his son, his son’s wife, and his attorneys.

“It’s gonna be pretty wild for him, but you know what, it’s okay, because he’s gonna be smiling, and so am I,” said Tyler Anger, Carter’s biological son, before the release.

After 41 years behind bars, Anger said he is looking forward to sharing simple moments with his father.

“We’re gonna go drink a cup of coffee and walk around in the grass,” Anger said.

But he also knows Carter will need time to adjust.

“The world’s changed a lot, and it’s gonna be a major, major shock to him,” Anger said.

Attorney Neal Hamilton said Carter still needs basic things, including an ID.

“When he gets home, if he opens his door, that will be the first time opening his own door in 41 years,” Hamilton said.

Carter left the jail with a cart full of belongings, including what Hamilton said were about 25 years’ worth of legal filings.

“Those are his possessions. And you think about it, his possessions are he has a pillow,” Hamilton said.

For now, Carter’s son says they are there to support him.

“There’s nobody else that’s close, and Doug’s my buddy, and we don’t abandon family members,” Anger said.

Carter is still facing charges and has a legal road ahead. His release is not a final resolution in the case. He is required to wear a GPS monitor and has a no-contact order with the victim’s family.

Source: kmyu.tv, Kristen McPeek, September 28, 2026

"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted."
— Oscar Wilde

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