--- title: "Utah judge orders death row inmate's release on bail after DNA tests" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/utah-judge-orders-death-row-inmates-release-on-bail-after-dna-tests" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/utah-judge-orders-death-row-inmates-release-on-bail-after-dna-tests" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/utah-judge-orders-death-row-inmates-release-on-bail-after-dna-tests.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/utah-judge-orders-death-row-inmates-release-on-bail-after-dna-tests" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-09-28T23:45:31.878Z" source_reported: "2026-09-28T23:23:22.719Z" updated: "2026-09-29T01:15:13.444Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 61 hype_score: 20 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-29T01:00:10.785899+00:00" --- # Utah judge orders death row inmate's release on bail after DNA tests *A 71-year-old man will be freed after decades of incarceration for a 1985 killing.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to prosecutors; new DNA evidence excluded the man; 10 outlets reported. - Craft 61 of 100, higher is better. Reporting is clear and holds together; includes objections from victim's family. - Hype 20 of 100, lower is better. Headlines are factual and do not overstate the story's content. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - A Utah judge ordered a 71-year-old man released on bail after he spent decades on death row. - The man was convicted of a 1985 killing, but prosecutors said newly analysed DNA evidence does not match him. - The victim's family has objected to the man's release. - No right-rated outlets reported on this story. A Utah judge has ordered a 71-year-old man to be released on bail. He had spent decades on death row for a 1985 killing. Prosecutors stated that newly analysed DNA evidence did not match him. The victim's family objected to the release. ## Coverage comparison ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated or centre-rated digests mentioned the name of the man ordered released on bail, nor the name of the victim. ## Who covered it Shares of the 38 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 63% (24) - Centre: 32% (12) - Right: 5% (2) 0 of 38 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-29T01:00:10.785899+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 6 times; 2 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-29T01:15:13.444Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - All twelve left‑rated digests report that a Utah judge ordered a 71‑year‑old man, who spent decades on death row for a 1985 killing, to be released on bail after newly analysed DNA evidence did not match him. Several digests note that the victim’s family objected to the release. - The Salt Lake Tribune digest adds that the judge will reconsider the case after 41 years, while the other eleven digests repeat the headline phrasing about the bail order and DNA mismatch. None of the digests provide statements from prosecutors, defence lawyers or the court beyond the bail decision. - The digests do not mention any conditions of the bail, the identity of the prosecutor handling the case, the defence counsel’s response, or any broader legal implications. They also omit any discussion of the case’s impact on Utah’s death‑penalty system or future DNA testing policies. ### Centre - Four centre-rated digests reported that a Utah judge ordered a 71-year-old man released on bail after decades on death row. They all stated that prosecutors said newly analysed DNA evidence did not match him. Battlefords NOW, KPRC-TV, and Winnipeg Free Press digests mentioned that the man had spent decades on death row for a 1985 killing and that the victim's family objected to the release. The KUTV digest stated that the man was convicted in a 1985 capital murder case and would be released from prison after more than four decades on Utah's death row. ### Right - Both right‑rated digests report that a Utah judge ordered a 71‑year‑old man, who had spent decades on death row for a 1985 killing, to be released on bail. The releases followed prosecutors’ statement that newly analysed DNA evidence did not match the inmate, despite objections from the victim’s family. - MY Northwest’s digest adds the inmate’s name, Douglas Stewart Carter, and notes that he received a death sentence in 1985 after a jury conviction. The Washington Times digest does not include the name or sentencing detail. - Neither digest mentions the judge’s identity, the specific bail amount, any direct quotes from prosecutors, or any discussion of the case’s broader legal implications. They also omit any reference to costs, appeals process, or reactions from law‑enforcement officials. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 3 - high: 17 - veryHigh: 18 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Orillia Matters](https://orilliamatters.com/world-news/man-on-utahs-death-row-for-decades-ordered-released-on-bail-after-dna-tests-show-no-match-to-him-12833102) — Man on Utah's death row for decades ordered released on bail after DNA tests show no match to him - [Midland Today](https://midlandtoday.ca/world-news/man-on-utahs-death-row-for-decades-ordered-released-on-bail-after-dna-tests-show-no-match-to-him-12833102) — Man on Utah's death row for decades ordered released on bail after DNA tests show no match to him - [Bowen Island Undercurrent](https://bowenislandundercurrent.com/world-news/man-on-utahs-death-row-for-decades-ordered-released-on-bail-after-dna-tests-show-no-match-to-him-12833103) — Man on Utah's death row for decades ordered released on bail after DNA tests show no match to him - [The NOTL Local](https://notllocal.com/world-news/man-on-utahs-death-row-for-decades-ordered-released-on-bail-after-dna-tests-show-no-match-to-him-12833102) — Man on Utah's death row for decades ordered released on bail after DNA tests show no match to him - [Timmins Today](https://timminstoday.com/world-news/man-on-utahs-death-row-for-decades-ordered-released-on-bail-after-dna-tests-show-no-match-to-him-12833102) — Man on Utah's death row for decades ordered released on bail after DNA tests show no match to him - [thealbertan.com](https://thealbertan.com/world-news/man-on-utahs-death-row-for-decades-ordered-released-on-bail-after-dna-tests-show-no-match-to-him-12833102) — Man on Utah's death row for decades ordered released on bail after DNA tests show no match to him - [Durango Herald](https://durangoherald.com/articles/associated-press/man-ordered-released-on-bail-after-decades-on-utahs-death-row-after-dna-tests-show-no-match-to-hi) — Man on Utah’s death row for decades ordered released on bail after DNA tests show no match to him - [Internewscast](https://internewscast.com/local-news/utah-death-row-inmate-granted-bail-after-dna-tests-exclude-him) — Utah Death Row Inmate Granted Bail After DNA Tests Exclude Him - [Rocky Mountain Outlook](https://rmoutlook.com/world-news/man-ordered-released-on-bail-after-decades-on-utahs-death-row-after-dna-tests-show-no-match-to-him-12833102) — Man ordered released on bail after decades on Utah’s death row after DNA tests show no match to him - [Coast Reporter](https://coastreporter.net/world-news/man-ordered-released-on-bail-after-decades-on-utahs-death-row-after-dna-tests-show-no-match-to-him-12833103) — Man ordered released on bail after decades on Utah’s death row after DNA tests show no match to him - [SooToday.com](https://sootoday.com/world-news/man-ordered-released-on-bail-after-decades-on-utahs-death-row-after-dna-tests-show-no-match-to-him-12833102) — Man ordered released on bail after decades on Utah’s death row after DNA tests show no match to him - [Elora Fergus Today](https://elorafergustoday.com/world-news/man-ordered-released-on-bail-after-decades-on-utahs-death-row-after-dna-tests-show-no-match-to-him-12833102) — Man ordered released on bail after decades on Utah’s death row after DNA tests show no match to him - [Sudbury](https://sudbury.com/world-news/man-ordered-released-on-bail-after-decades-on-utahs-death-row-after-dna-tests-show-no-match-to-him-12833102) — Man ordered released on bail after decades on Utah’s death row after DNA tests show no match to him - [Bay Today](https://baytoday.ca/world-news/man-ordered-released-on-bail-after-decades-on-utahs-death-row-after-dna-tests-show-no-match-to-him-12833102) — Man ordered released on bail after decades on Utah’s death row after DNA tests show no match to him - [flamboroughtoday.com](https://flamboroughtoday.com/world-news/man-ordered-released-on-bail-after-decades-on-utahs-death-row-after-dna-tests-show-no-match-to-him-12833102) — Man ordered released on bail after decades on Utah’s death row after DNA tests show no match to him - [Ottumwa Courier](https://ottumwacourier.com/news/national_news/man-ordered-released-on-bail-after-decades-on-utah-s-death-row-after-dna-tests/article_f2f92dc3-4f10-5993-bf15-2aeaf5913df6.html) — Man ordered released on bail after decades on Utah’s death row after DNA tests show no match to him - [The Record](https://troyrecord.com/2026/09/28/death-row-retrial-utah-release) — Man ordered released on bail after decades on Utah’s death row after DNA tests show no match to him - [Battlefords NOW](https://battlefordsnow.com/2026/09/28/man-ordered-released-on-bail-after-decades-on-utahs-death-row-after-dna-tests-show-no-match-to-him) — Man ordered released on bail after decades on Utah’s death row after DNA tests show no match to him - [CFJC Today Kamloops](https://cfjctoday.com/2026/09/28/man-ordered-released-on-bail-after-decades-on-utahs-death-row-after-dna-tests-show-no-match-to-him) — Man ordered released on bail after decades on Utah’s death row after DNA tests show no match to him - [meadowlakeNOW](https://meadowlakenow.com/2026/09/28/man-ordered-released-on-bail-after-decades-on-utahs-death-row-after-dna-tests-show-no-match-to-him) — Man ordered released on bail after decades on Utah’s death row after DNA tests show no match to him - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/dna-evidence-utah-dna-tests-supreme-court-nashville-b3057908.html) — Man ordered released on bail after decades on Utah’s death row after DNA tests show no match to him - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/world/americas/dna-evidence-utah-dna-tests-supreme-court-nashville-b3057908.html) — Man ordered released on bail after decades on Utah’s death row after DNA tests show no match to him - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/man-ordered-released-on-bail-after-decades-on-utahs-death-row-after-dna-tests-show-no-match-to-him) — Man ordered released on bail after decades on Utah’s death row after DNA tests show no match to him - [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/utah-death-row-douglas-carter-eva-olesen-10c0bf7603c87b214e0179ecf7a4be94) — Man ordered released on bail after decades on Utah’s death row after DNA tests show no match to him - [KPRC-TV](https://click2houston.com/news/national/2026/09/28/man-ordered-released-on-bail-after-decades-on-utahs-death-row-after-dna-tests-show-no-match-to-him) — Man ordered released on bail after decades on Utah’s death row after DNA tests show no match to him - [MY Northwest](https://mynorthwest.com/national/man-ordered-released-on-bail-after-decades-on-utahs-death-row-after-dna-tests-show-no-match-to-him/4281011) — Man ordered released on bail after decades on Utah’s death row after DNA tests show no match to him - [WKMG](https://clickorlando.com/news/national/2026/09/28/man-ordered-released-on-bail-after-decades-on-utahs-death-row-after-dna-tests-show-no-match-to-him) — Man ordered released on bail after decades on Utah’s death row after DNA tests show no match to him - [Bangor Daily News](https://bangordailynews.com/2026/09/28/nation/man-ordered-released-on-bail-after-decades-on-utahs-death-row-after-dna-tests-show-no-match-to-him) — Man ordered released on bail after decades on Utah’s death row after DNA tests show no match to him - [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/national/2026/09/a-man-who-spent-decades-on-utahs-death-row-is-ordered-released-on-bail-after-dna-tests-show-no-match-to-him) — A man who spent decades on Utah’s death row is ordered released on bail after DNA tests show no match to him – WTOP News - [Enid News & Eagle](https://enidnews.com/region/a-man-who-spent-decades-on-utah-s-death-row-is-ordered-released-on-bail/article_896aef49-4cfb-5c83-b35b-6cc58c69774f.html) — A man who spent decades on Utah’s death row is ordered released on bail after DNA tests show no match to him - [The Times-Tribune](https://thetimestribune.com/news/national_news/a-man-who-spent-decades-on-utah-s-death-row-is-ordered-released-on-bail/article_ec31ff6c-f861-5f9d-92ab-6d38aa705cfe.html) — A man who spent decades on Utah’s death row is ordered released on bail after DNA tests show no match to him - [Kokomo Tribune](https://kokomotribune.com/news/nation_world_news/a-man-who-spent-decades-on-utah-s-death-row-is-ordered-released-on-bail/article_60c20b28-ce0e-5d7a-a2bc-657a209fe78e.html) — A man who spent decades on Utah’s death row is ordered released on bail after DNA tests show no match to him - [The Record](https://therecord.com/news/world/united-states/man-ordered-released-on-bail-after-decades-on-utah-s-death-row-after-dna-tests-show-no-match-to-him/article_67e2c305-3479-5992-a350-034e2b3ddd45.html) — Man ordered released on bail after decades on Utah’s death row after DNA tests show no match to him - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/world/2026/09/28/man-ordered-released-on-bail-after-decades-on-utahs-death-row-after-dna-tests-show-no-match-to-him) — Man ordered released on bail after decades on Utah’s death row after DNA tests show no match to him - [KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/local/douglas-carter-to-be-released-from-prison-on-bail-after-over-40-years-on-utahs-death-row) — Judge orders Douglas Carter released from prison after over 40 years on Utah's death row - [Washington Times](https://washingtontimes.com/news/2026/sep/28/douglas-stewart-carter-released-bail-dna-found-not-match-utah-death) — Man ordered released on bail after decades on Utah's death row after DNA tests show no match to him - [Ckpg Today](https://ckpgtoday.ca/2026/09/28/man-ordered-released-on-bail-after-decades-on-utahs-death-row-after-dna-tests-show-no-match-to-him) — Man ordered released on bail after decades on Utah’s death row after DNA tests show no match to him - [Salt Lake Tribune](https://sltrib.com/news/2026/09/27/utah-judge-reconsider-douglas) — Will a former Utah death row inmate be freed after 41 years? A judge is reconsidering. ## Questions **Why was the man ordered released on bail?** A Utah judge ordered the release on bail of a 71-year-old man who had spent decades on death row. This decision was made after prosecutors stated that newly analysed DNA evidence did not match him, casting doubt on his conviction for a 1985 killing. **Did the victim's family agree to the release?** No, the victim's family objected to the man's release. Despite their objections, the judge ordered the 71-year-old man to be released on bail after new DNA evidence emerged that did not match him. **How long had the man been on death row?** The man had spent decades on death row. Some reports indicate he had been incarcerated for over 40 years, having been convicted of a 1985 killing before the new DNA evidence led to his ordered release on bail. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/utah-judge-orders-death-row-inmates-release-on-bail-after-dna-tests. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Utah judge orders death row inmate's release on bail after DNA tests", https://mediabias.news/politics/utah-judge-orders-death-row-inmates-release-on-bail-after-dna-tests