Overview
- Prosecutors told the court they remain open to a new trial next summer even after crime‑scene DNA testing excluded Douglas Carter as the source of blood evidence.
- The county dropped its pursuit of the death penalty after the exclusion but has not dismissed the aggravated murder charge against Carter.
- The defense has asked the court to order the state crime lab to release remaining DNA extracts so an expert can run forensic genetic genealogy, and the lab did not oppose the request while saying one extract contains a large amount of DNA.
- Judge Derek Pullan must rule on a motion to suppress a purported confession; prosecutors say the outcome of that ruling will affect whether they proceed and how they use the new DNA testing.
- Carter, who was convicted in 1985 and whose case was later undermined by revelations of police misconduct, is released from jail under an ankle monitor and travel limits while the court resolves the evidence and testing disputes.