Utah prosecutors drop death bid after DNA exclusion

Utah prosecutors have withdrawn their plan to seek the death penalty against Douglas Stewart Carter, who was convicted of murdering Eva Olesen in 1985, after DNA testing excluded him as a possible match to blood and material found on a doorknob and knife. The state Supreme Court ordered a new trial last year, citing investigator misconduct; Carter’s conviction relied on a confession he says was coerced and testimony from two witnesses who later alleged they were pressured to lie. Carter’s attorney is seeking dismissal of the charges and a bond hearing ahead of a retrial scheduled for next July. Prosecutors say they will reassess whether to proceed, but caution that the DNA results do not necessarily exonerate Carter, noting that he confessed and the gun used in the killing was never found.