Utah Death Row Inmate Ordered Released After DNA Test Shows No Match

A Utah man on death row for decades is ordered released after DNA tests show no match, sparking debate over justice and innocence.

Editorial Desk

September 29, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Provo, Utah — A Utah judge has ordered the release of a man who spent decades on death row for a 1985 murder, after DNA tests showed no match to him, despite objections from the victim’s family.

The state Supreme Court had previously ordered a new trial, citing misconduct by investigators. Douglas Stewart Carter, now 71, has always maintained his innocence, claiming his confession was coerced. Prosecutors said the DNA evidence does not link him to the crime scene, but they are still reconsidering the case.

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Carter will be released on bail with conditions, including wearing a GPS monitor and avoiding contact with the victim’s family. His defense team emphasized the psychological toll of his 41 years in prison, while the victim’s family expressed concerns about his release.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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