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Rewritten from New York Post • • 1 min read
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Signals flagged in the original

  • loaded language: 'tainted prosecution'
  • loaded language: 'coerced'
  • loaded language: 'coached them to lie'
  • loaded language: 'threatened them and their son with deportation'
  • loaded language: 'suppressed evidence'
  • framing: The headline foregrounds DNA evidence excluding Carter and the dropped death-penalty pursuit, but states a fact supported in the article.
  • framing: Allegations of investigative and prosecutorial misconduct are presented alongside the prosecutor's explanation that the DNA does not necessarily exonerate Carter.

Analyzed by our bias model Full breakdown ↓

Utah prosecutors withdraw death penalty in retrial after DNA evidence excludes defendant

Utah prosecutors have decided not to pursue the death penalty against Douglas Stewart Carter, who was convicted in 1985 for the murder of Eva Olesen, after new DNA evidence excluded him as a match. The state Supreme Court previously ordered a retrial due to misconduct, and Carter maintains his innocence. Concerns about his potential release have been raised by Olesen's family, while Carter's defense claims that his confession was coerced and that evidence pointing to other suspects was suppressed.

People
Douglas Stewart Carter Eva Olesen Neal Hamilton Jeffrey Gray Orla Olesen

Utah prosecutors are withdrawing their intention to seek the death penalty in the retrial of Douglas Stewart Carter, a 71-year-old man who spent decades on death row for the 1985 murder of Eva Olesen. Newly analyzed DNA evidence has shown that Carter is not a match for blood found on a doorknob and material on the handle of a knife used in the crime. Carter was convicted based on a signed confession and witness testimonies, despite no physical evidence linking him to the crime scene. The Utah Supreme Court ordered a new trial last year due to misconduct by investigators. Carter maintains his innocence and remains in custody.

Judge Derek Pullan has scheduled a bond hearing for Monday, where defense attorney Neal Hamilton anticipates Carter's release pending an eight-week trial set for next July. Hamilton criticized the prosecution's decision to continue, stating, "It’s not time to try to save face and continue with a tainted prosecution. They know they don’t have a case. The moral obligation is to dismiss."

Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray confirmed in a court filing that the state is withdrawing its notice to seek the death penalty. He acknowledged the new DNA evidence but noted that it does not necessarily exonerate Carter. The handgun used in the murder has not been found, and Carter's confession remains a point of contention.

Family members of Olesen expressed concerns about Carter's potential release, stating he could pose a safety risk. They have refrained from commenting on his guilt or innocence while prosecutors determine their next steps. In a statement, they mentioned that the recent developments have raised difficult questions and left them without the resolution they had hoped for after many years.

Carter has alleged that his confession was coerced, and witnesses who claimed he bragged about the murder later stated that they were pressured by police and prosecutors. Defense attorneys argue that other suspects, including the victim's husband, were not adequately investigated, and they claim that evidence pointing to these suspects was suppressed by investigators.

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Language Analysis

Loaded-language score 25/100
wirepublicmainstream flavoredpartisanadvocacy
Inflammatory language 10/100

Loaded Language Removed

  • ✕ loaded language: 'tainted prosecution'
  • ✕ loaded language: 'coerced'
  • ✕ loaded language: 'coached them to lie'
  • ✕ loaded language: 'threatened them and their son with deportation'
  • ✕ loaded language: 'suppressed evidence'
  • ✕ framing: The headline foregrounds DNA evidence excluding Carter and the dropped death-penalty pursuit, but states a fact supported in the article.
  • ✕ framing: Allegations of investigative and prosecutorial misconduct are presented alongside the prosecutor's explanation that the DNA does not necessarily exonerate Carter.

Original vs. Neutral

Original Headline

Utah prosecutors drop death penalty after new DNA evidence shows man is not match in 1985 killing

Neutral Headline

Utah prosecutors withdraw death penalty in retrial after DNA evidence excludes defendant