Instructions for Using the Registry

The table below shows all individual exonerations. By default, the table is set to show exonerations from 1989 through the present. Check "Pre-1989" in the Exoneration Era filter to view Pre-1989 exonerations. Use the filters on the left to search for exonerations with particular criteria. Hover over the symbols for explanations of filters or columns. Use the Keyword Search box to filter for cases that contain those keywords in the narrative summary.

If multiple keywords are entered, the search will show cases in which the narrative contains ANY of those words. Since the table is filtered to 1989 through the present by default, a search for the name of someone who was exonerated before 1989 will not produce results until the Date of Exoneration is adjusted, or the Pre-1989 filter is selected. Once filters have been set, select the column headings you wish to display, and sort the table by whatever column heading you choose by clicking on the column heading. For more detailed instructions, see Understanding the Registry, under "About" at the top right of the Home Page. Note: 1989 was the year of the first DNA exoneration and the dawn of a new era of wrongful convictions. The Registry used to separate the two - pre and post 1989 exonerations - into two separate and distinct databases. They are now synthesized to reflect the entire body of exoneration data. If you wish to view exonerations prior to 1989, check "Pre-1989" in the Exoneration Era filter. Read Less
Total records: 17
Select More Columns:
Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Years lost Age Race Sex Year of recantation Date of Release Posting Date
Abernathy, Christopher Illinois Cook 1987 2015 Murder Life without parole 28 17 White Male 2006 2015 02-13-2015
Ballard, Jarvis Louisiana St. Bernard 1999 2021 Sexual Assault Life without parole 22 18 Black Male 2017 2021 08-21-2021
Bennett, Gary South Carolina Horry 2002 2020 Murder Life without parole 18 36 White Male 2018 2020 11-23-2020
Cifizzari, Gary Massachusetts Worcester 1984 2019 Murder Life without parole 35 23 White Male 2019 2019 01-08-2020
Clay, Frederick Massachusetts Suffolk 1981 2017 Murder Life without parole 36 16 Black Male 2001 2017 08-15-2017
Floyd, John Louisiana Orleans 1982 2018 Murder Life without parole 35 31 White Male 1998 2017 12-03-2018
Fogle, Lewis Pennsylvania Indiana 1982 2015 Murder Life without parole 33 24 White Male dk 2015 09-16-2015
Gagnon, Richard South Carolina Horry 2008 2015 Murder Life without parole 5 32 White Male 2009 2013 06-02-2015
Kussmaul, Richard Texas Mclennan 1994 2019 Murder Life without parole 25 21 White Male 1995 2019 11-06-2019
Nash, Donald Missouri Dent 2009 2020 Murder Life without parole 11 39 White Male 2017 2020 10-28-2020
Nickerson, Glen California Santa Clara 1987 2003 Murder Life without parole 16 29 White Male 1992 2003 08-31-2011
Ollins, Calvin Illinois Cook 1988 2001 Murder Life without parole 14 14 Black Male 2001 2001 08-29-2011
Sagin, Jack California Monterey 1986 2019 Murder Life without parole 33 39 White Male 2011 2019 10-25-2019
Saunders, Omar Illinois Cook 1988 2001 Murder Life without parole 14 18 Black Male 2001 2001 08-29-2011
Smith, Kaliegh Louisiana Orleans 2010 2021 Murder Life without parole 11 31 Black Male 2014 2021 06-25-2021
Watson, James Massachusetts Suffolk 1981 2020 Murder Life without parole 39 20 Black Male 2001 2020 11-25-2020
Wright, Anthony Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1993 2016 Murder Life without parole 23 20 Black Male 2013 2016 08-26-2016