Provo Aggravated Murder Trial Will Begin in 2027
A judge set the jury trial for Douglas Carter to run from July 26, 2027, through September 20, 2027.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Criminal Justice
Douglas Carter, 70, will face a new eight-week jury trial starting July 26, 2027, for the 1985 murder of Eva Olesen in Provo. The Utah Supreme Court ordered the new proceeding after citing intentional misconduct by police and a prosecutor.
Why it matters
The decision for a retrial follows judicial findings of official misconduct in the original case, which has spanned decades since the victim was killed in her home. The trial date is now set for late 2027 following the appellate court's intervention.
Judge Derek Pullan denied bail for the 70-year-old defendant, citing a potential death penalty and a prior history of fleeing to Tennessee in 1985. The court determined no conditions of release could mitigate the risk of flight.
The players
Douglas Carter
He is a 70-year-old defendant currently facing aggravated murder charges in a case dating back to 1985.
Derek Pullan
He is a judge in Provo who denied bail for the defendant and is expected to retire before the end of 2026.
Eva Olesen
She was the victim of a 1985 killing that occurred in her Provo home.
Utah Supreme Court
This is the state's highest court which ordered the new trial due to police and prosecutorial misconduct.
The details
Judge Derek Pullan denied requests from the defendant to be released on bail, noting the gravity of the aggravated murder charge and the defendant's past behavior. The court reached its decision after Eva Olesen's family requested that Carter remain in custody.
Timeline
1985: Eva Olesen was killed and Carter fled to Tennessee.
May 15, 2025: The Utah Supreme Court affirmed the decision to grant a new trial.
Nov. 10, 2026: A hearing is scheduled for the case.
July 26, 2027: The eight-week jury trial is set to begin.
Sept. 20, 2027: The jury trial is scheduled to conclude.
Legal Context
The court's decision marks a significant development in the 1985 Utah murder investigation of Eva Olesen. The current trial schedule represents the latest procedural phase in a decades-old case that has recently been reopened due to documented misconduct.
The scheduling of this high-profile trial confirms that proceedings will remain active in the local court system through 2027. Residents and businesses in Provo may observe increased security and media attention surrounding the courthouse during the eight-week trial.
The takeaway
The court has set a firm timeline for a long-delayed retrial, underscoring the legal complexity of cases involving evidence from the mid-1980s. This case highlights how allegations of misconduct can disrupt criminal proceedings decades after an initial arrest.
What happens next
A hearing for the case is scheduled to take place on Nov. 10, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings in the region, visit Criminal Justice.
