Man Who Spent 4 Decades On Death Row, RELEASED After New DNA Testing

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1:00Hey there folks, it is Wednesday, September 30th, and he spent 40 years on death row. Just walked out of prison this week. Yes, there might be a lot to celebrate, but there is a lot to be absolutely pissed about in this story. And with that, welcome to this episode of Amy and TJ. Okay, finally, after 40 years of getting it right, probably just took this man's life. On death row for 40 years and now coming back and say, oops, maybe he's not the guy. This is a hell of a story. And for anyone who believes in justice, you are going to be outraged when you hear what happened to this man. Yes, he is 71 years old now. Douglas Stewart Carter had a smile on his face. He left the courtroom this week, but my God, he has a lot to be upset about.

2:03He was convicted of killing a police chief's aunt. Again, 40 years ago, her name was Evil Olson. He has maintained his innocence from the beginning. However, he was convicted and he unfortunately was co-washed into providing a confession early on. And that, along with two witnesses, did him in. There was no physical evidence connecting him to this crime. And when you find out what happened to those two witnesses and then how long it took the justice system to slowly move its wheels, to lead to this day where Carter was finally released, your head is going to explode. I mean, it really is that outrageous. Well, Carter is, and yes, let's highlight the good news. We're finally after 40 years. And we need to highlight as well, robes. Over 40 years, we know a lot of death, row inmates and a lot of death sentences get carried out and sometimes 20 years and 30 years, certainly in 40.

3:05So we should all be looking at this and going, wow, what a relief. What a blessing that we didn't kill him. But robes, we should be terrified of the fact that we got that close to killing. What the state is now saying is all likelihood and innocent man. This was very, very close. And these are the exact mistakes, baby. We cannot make this is before you go to any moral objection. Robes, first and foremost, this is the problem with the death penalty is because mistakes get made. Documented. Mistakes get made with just you can't make one ever. Not one, not allowed. Not one. And we made one. And we should say, thankfully, he was sentenced to death in the state of Utah. So yes, in another state, if he had been sentenced to death in another state like Texas or Florida, South Carolina, some of the other heavy hitters, it might be too late. We never know. Yes. You're right.

4:05We would look into the case again. We wouldn't know. And the only reason why we do know is because he was given a new trial. He took a hell of a long time for him to get this new trial, but as a part of a new trial, he was allowed to test DNA evidence in the case that had never been tested before. And just days ago, the results from that DNA evidence excluded him from being at the crime scene. This is unbelievable. That's the thing though, that that ain't even it. We can still go back another 15 years, whether this do should have been out because the only people who testified against him who said they were witnesses of some kind to what he did because he confessed to them. We found these people 15 years ago who recanted their stories. So why has he been sitting in prison for the past 15 years? Legal wrangling, I believe, is the term that was used. Let's start from the beginning. So this all, this crime took place on February 27th, 1985.

5:12That's how long ago we're talking. And yes, Carter was living with his mom in Utah at the time. He left the state. He fled because he thought police might be looking at him for some other smaller crime and he just wanted to get out of Dodge. But that is what ultimately made him look guilty because look, that is not a good look when you're fleeing the state. There was a murder. You were near the area where this murder took place. You're a black man. She's a white woman and now he's in a whole heap of trouble. And he killed a wrong white woman, not that there will be a right one to kill, but he killed a white woman who was related to a member of law enforcement. Yes, the aunt of the police chief. And so when they finally got him or at least found him, they said they suspected that he killed her during a robbery that this was a robbery attempt to gone bad. Carter eventually, he was being interrogated for how long was it? Did they say how long this interrogation went?

6:13But ultimately, he ended up signing an a confession while he was being interrogated by this prova detective. Almost immediately, he said it was a false confession. He said he was being repeatedly threatened by police. He just, he broke. He caved. He said, fine, I'll sign what you want me to sign. The reality is there was no physical evidence that linked him to the crime and a jury convicted him based on the based on that confession. And then just these two witnesses who came forward and testified at a trial saying he bragged about killing Olsen literally. That was their only evidence against him. So he was convicted and sentenced to death. And there were and he is defense called no witnesses. He essentially had no defense. And again, to be clear here, the witnesses were talking about folks were not witnesses to the crime. They didn't see him running out of a house, didn't see him hitting anybody, hurting anybody, carrying any stolen goods, nothing. The witnesses only say what he told them.

7:14So that's it, robes, oftentimes hearsay, right? That testimony and what was the other piece of evidence? His confession. Oh yes, the sign conveyed. That's a big deal. Senator prison, death row. He ended up getting a new trial just seven years later in 1992, robes. Same result. Same thing, same evidence, conviction, death penalty. And that was it. Okay, but then in 2011, there's a big break. So from 1985 to 2011, those two witnesses were tracked down in Mexico. They admitted that they were told to lie in court under oath and they were told to lie in court under oath by police and a prosecutor. In fact, they say they were giving cash and gifts by police who told them not to discuss

8:19the payments. Here's what you need to say when you take the stand and he said that both the police, they both said the police and prosecutors threaten them and their son with deportation if they did not testify against Carter. Now that isn't just what they said. The Utah Supreme Court actually said that yes, there were multiple instances of intentional misconduct by police and prosecutors. But guess how long it took the Utah Supreme Court to declare this 14 years after these two, the only evidence against this man recanted their story. It still took 14 years for the Utah State Supreme Court to order a new trial for this man. And the only explanation is legal wrangling. You don't have a good lawyer. You don't have good representation. No one cares about you.

9:19You just, what, twist in the wind? It's horrific. Twist in the wind, waiting to die for 41 years for a crime you didn't commit. I don't know how you stay. At what point do you not just give up and say this is never going to be proven? Robes tooth, it's the worst thing in the world, man, when somebody thinks something about you that's not true and you can't convince them otherwise. We've all been in that position. We've never been in that position with these stakes. Yes. Robes, he's waiting to die for 40 years knowing he didn't commit a crime. That is awful. Right? Exactly. So, yes, in 2011, he's validated. In 2025, he gets a new trial. And as a part of this new trial, they ordered this DNA evidence to be tested finally. And when you hear the results, it really is jaw dropping. So this DNA analysis excludes Carter as a match to blood found on the doorknob and genetic

10:22material recovered from the handle of the knife that was used to stab Eva Olsen. And so because of that DNA exclusion, even the prosecutors had to tell the judge at his bond hearing, yeah, we feel like it's fair and reasonable that he should be released on bond. And he should be able to leave prison for the first time in 41 years. And so, yes, he left this week. He actually got to be reunited with his son and he's going to be staying close to his son. He's got a GPS monitor. Technically he's not been exonerated. Technically, he's not off the hook. Technically, there's still a new trial potentially happening in 2027. Just some legal wrangling. We got to go through it. But some more legal wrangling before he's exonerated. This is going to get dropped. He's going to be exonerated. And the evidence you have of that is that there is, you're telling me that the state believes they have a violent criminal who committed a crime so bad that it was worthy of him being

11:25on death row. But yeah, we're okay with him going home with just an ankle monitor. Obviously you would never let that guy out of jail if you thought he was guilty of that crime. This will get taken care of, but it's important to do so while he's alive, while he's healthy, while his family can see it. And for his legacy, some kid somewhere down the road growing up, hearing about grandad, it's nice to hear that grandad was not a convicted murderer. He was exonerated of this bullshit. But let me tell you what your granddad, he had to endure. I mean, this is awful stuff. He's going to get paid out millions. He should get paid out millions. I mean, he was robbed of his life. He was robbed of getting to know his son. His own son didn't even know about his own father or his story for years because it was kept from him. He was, I believe, adopted. So he's just now getting to actually get to know his dad. This is not just a guy that's wrong. This was specific misconduct to set someone up.

12:25That is worthy of a ridiculous payout. This is not just they in good faith put on a case and they happen to be wrong and the jury got it wrong. Oh, no, no, no, no. This was intentional. Intentionally set this dude up. That is despicable and awful. Look, I took his life from him. You never want to think that that's happening, but I imagine, baby, as a black man, you're laughing at me like that's spoken like a white woman. I mean, seriously, to think that it was just okay to pin this on the black guy who looked like he was running from something and probably would have done something to somebody sometimes. So we'll just go ahead and pin this murder on him because he's that guy and just to be cast in that light, in that shade, basically, to be that much of a throw away to another person who's supposed to be upholding the law, a prosecutor, police officer. So they're supposed to keep us safe. They're supposed to protect us. They're supposed to protect everyone.

13:27And just to think that this took place is awful and gutting. But yes, he needs to have some sort of reparation. I don't know what it is. There's nothing that can bring him back the time he lost, but he does deserve something for this atrocity. Thirty years, he had spent on this earth. And in the next 41, he spent on death row because someone wanted to give cash and prizes to a witness just to get this guy convicted. That's just that's that's to take somebody's life. Robes at some point, killing, execute him. You took his life from him. I don't know how you make up for that. I would love to hear. And Robes, we've heard stories of exoneration before and people just being so blessed to be out. And grateful that we hear how they were able to keep it together for all those years. I don't know how you do that. Mentally, they've already mentioned his attorney. He is going to need therapy. Yes. That is of note. He said he is suffering. Yes. PTSD.

14:28Oh, my God. Understatement. But when we come back, we're going to tell you about who the other suspect was in this murder and what Eva Olson's family has to say about Carter's release. Are you tired of the confusing bait and switch pricing on GLP ones? Then visit happyGLP.com where it's always $99 a month. At happyGLP, whether you're brand new or renewing, it's $99 every time. No teaser price, no switch up. Getting started is fast, convenient, and happens virtually with a licensed provider. Check it out. HappyGLP.com. Compounded medications are not FDA approved. Eligibility required and determined by a licensed provider. Indipiturable results may vary. See website for details. This episode is sponsored by Vinted. Have you ever cleaned out your closet and realized you have so many things you're just not wearing? You keep telling yourself you'll wear them eventually, but they're taking up space and you could actually be making some extra money from them.

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16:31I know, bold. But why don't we list some of the things we might talk about on a regular episode? So sometimes we'll talk about, I don't know, the Uber driver we just had. And how nice they were or if we tip them or not, come and find out. Sometimes we'll talk about that weird news story from last week. It's the one you're thinking about. Trust me. You will talk about music and what's happening in the underground or drama music or TV shows or the Med Galan, what the actors wore. What we're saying is we're not afraid to talk about everything under the sun. And if you want to see what that's like, come join us. It's a place where everyone can hang out, anyone, wherever you're from, whatever you're like, you're welcome. Listen Out of Character from Will Ferrell's Big Money Players Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Pods or wherever you get your podcasts. Didn't catch the latest Roland Martin Unfiltered podcast? Here's what you missed. And the argument is, do you want to win? If you don't win, you have no power. It's real. Those are the very people who I always say vote against their own economic interests and

17:34they complained about the very thing they were seeing. It's raw. I knew that the issue of transgender athletes was not going well with a lot of black men. Roland Martin Unfiltered. I went off. I said, this is exactly what I'm talking about. Y'all go scream at Chanel, but you don't want to see a black luxury company in the same back. Catch Roland Martin's daily commentary on the black information network. 12 seats. Those are moving south. So if you Democrats, you don't wait to 2030, you better be hitting the ground going to heart in the south now. And download Roland Martin Unfiltered on the iHot Radio app, Apple Podcast. Or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome back everyone to Amy and TJ. So yes, while Carter paid the price for a murder, he did not commit. There was another suspect before police and this prosecutor set their sights on Carter,

18:36the husband. But that usually the first suspect and the person that most detectives thoroughly investigate before they even seek out a random stranger or a possible burglary gone wrong. We know and they know most violent crimes and a stabbing would be described as a very intimate violent crime tends to be at the hands of someone who reports to love you. The first suspect roped is going to be the loved one, the spouse. The other first suspect is the first person to find the dead person. Oftentimes the other first suspects, the person that calls it in. He was all of that. He was. Orla Olson was the husband of Eva Olson. And he was a painting contractor. He told police he found his wife dead in their home. He claimed she was partially undressed with her hands tied behind her back. However, there's never been a claim that there was a rape or any sort of sexual assault

19:39that took place. And again, the DNA in the room, the blood evidence completely exonerates Carter. Now could it implicate the husband? Don't know if we'll ever find out because he died. He died in 2009 and Carter's defense attorneys say there were witnesses that saw a white man fleeing the crime scene, not a black man. And his defense attorney claims investigators absolutely suppressed evidence that pointed to the husband in this case. So look, don't know if they're going to take that DNA evidence if they have a way to try and connect it to anyone. But certainly I would hope they would to further exonerate Carter to know actually who did kill Eva Olson would be good for everybody. I mean, what can they subpoena for his DNA of the husband or some other family member too? They can't make a family member submit, I guess. But wouldn't you want to know though if you were a family member? I don't know.

20:40I don't want to know if my family member was a murderer. That is true. And so to that point, Eva Olson's family did have a pretty strong reaction to Carter's release. In fact, Teresa Olson, that's the daughter-in-law of Eva. She was actually at his bond hearing when he was released. And her quote was that her family has serious concerns about his release. They want him behind bars, pending a new trial. But we hate to break it to you, Teresa. We don't think there's going to actually be a new trial. Her quote, by Gali, we were hoping for a concrete match. It doesn't mean he wasn't there. There are other factors. And hopefully the investigation will continue. We just want justice for Eva. And if he had any part of it, we want that to be known. Look, that's understandable. But to that point, I would think they would want that DNA compared to anyone and everyone it could possibly implicate to truly know who killed Eva, to truly put justice in its correct place, at least in the history books with this one.

21:40You don't think the family ever had any suspicion, ever had any question, never had any discussion over the past 40 years about Orla, about the husband. I don't know, Roe, but they too have waited. If they have put this to bed in their own minds and their hearts, if you will, and just waiting on an execution day, you're telling me for the past 40 years, we don't know who killed our loved one. Roe, that's torturous for them as well. It is. That's not right as well. Roe's what the police did to that family. Roe, there's a killer. No one has ever been brought to justice. The real killer has never been brought to justice. But what happened to your loved one? 40 years, you've been sitting with the wrong. That's awful. That's a lot to process. Look, I'm not acting as if what they've gone through is in any way comparative to what Carter has gone through. But certainly, yes, everyone has suffered in this. And look, you talked about why if you are on the fence on the death penalty, just to hear this story, it's got to speak to you.

22:41And we know, according to the death penalty information center, the Innocence Project, at least 203 death row inmates have been exonerated since 1973 alone. And those are the ones we know about. Because if this man had been put to death, there would never have been a new trial ordered. Obviously, there never would have been DNA testing done on the blood evidence from the crime scene. And we would never have known that he was actually an innocent man. So just to know that we've determined 203 death row inmates were innocent over the past 40 years. How many more did we not know about that went to their deaths innocent? That's 200 people. Our system determined should die that we later found out were literally, provably innocent and got out of prison. Ropes, that's too many mistakes. The false confession part of all this was jaw dropping. The Innocence Project does this. Ropes 30% of all exonerations, then evolved DNA, right?

23:43So we see we know 30% involve false confessions. Ropes a third of people who have been convicted of crimes and got off. Ropes they confessed falsely. A third confessed falsely. It's fascinating. A lot. And that number goes up to 60% when you talk about just murders. Wow. All false confessions, the exonerations, the robs. So the false confessions, it's amazing. We've brought you plenty of true crime. And we watch, no, we brought you plenty of actual cases, robs, were oftentimes those detectives, those police officers are taking a task for how they go about interrogating suspects. Ropes they talk about these things go 16 plus hours. That's the average for most of these confessions, for these false confessions. You met 16 hours? You're just like fine. I did it. Where do I sign? It's hard to imagine you would get to that point, but it's happened and it happens.

24:46And it's led to unfair convictions. And certainly in this case as well. So 71 year old Douglas Carter, we hope you get some beautiful time with your family. We hope you get a lot of money from the state of Utah. And it just sucks what happened to him. Yes, and an apology. Wouldn't that be something we rarely see that as well because everyone's so afraid of lawsuits? Just glad that Douglas Carter is finally a free man. And with that everyone, we always appreciate you listening to us. I'm Amy Robach alongside TJ Holmes. We'll talk to you soon. Come on and get happy with happy GLP. Just $99 a month. Happy GLP gives you one set prices every month. No tears, no tricks. Getting started with happy GLP is fast, convenient, and happens virtually with a licensed provider. Check it out for yourself at happyGLP.com. Again, that's happy GLP.com. A happy price for a happier you.

25:48Compound and medications are not FDA approved. Electrability required a determined way of licensed provider. Individual results may vary. See website for details. Didn't catch the latest Roland Martin unfiltered podcast. Here's what you missed. There should not be a single law enforcement agency. It does not have body cameras. It's real. Black farmers have been under attack. This is just the latest example of them just slapping DEI on anything. It's raw. And I'm sitting here going. They are playing y'all for fools. Catch Roland Martin's daily commentary on the Black Information Network. And download Roland Martin unfiltered on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast. Wherever you get your podcasts. This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed human.