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: 11
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Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Term of Years Years lost Age Race Sex Date of Release Posting Date
Canter, Mark Michigan Otsego 1988 1996 Accessory to Murder Life 7 22 White Male 1996 08-29-2011
Dean, James Nebraska Gage 1989 2009 Accessory to Murder Term of Years 10 years 5 20 White Male 1994 08-29-2011
Dixon, Malvester Jr. Virginia Martinsville City 2005 2006 Accessory to Murder Not Sentenced 0 51 Black Male 2005 08-18-2018
Gonzalez, Kathleen Nebraska Gage 1989 2009 Accessory to Murder Term of Years 10 years 5 24 Hispanic Female 1994 08-29-2011
Heistand, Donald Michigan Otsego 1989 2002 Accessory to Murder Term of Years 3 to 5 years 2 29 White Male 1991 01-19-2012
Jefferson-Dust, Joseph Montana Yellowstone 2016 2024 Other Violent Felony Term of Years 4 years and 353 days 3 31 Native American Male 2019 06-28-2024
Shaw, Willie Jr. North Carolina Mecklenburg 2016 2021 Other Violent Felony Term of Years 8 2/3 to 11 5/12 5 43 Black Male 2021 02-16-2021
Shelden, Debra Nebraska Gage 1989 2009 Accessory to Murder Term of Years 10 years 5 26 White Female 1994 08-29-2011
Shepard, Ann North Carolina New Hanover 1972 2012 Other Violent Felony Term of Years 15 years 5 33 White Female 1978 11-17-2016
Wilson, Donald Indiana Gibson 1995 1997 Other Violent Felony Term of Years 2 years and 2 months 1 42 White Male 1996 09-29-2017
Winslow, Thomas Nebraska Gage 1990 2009 Accessory to Murder Term of Years 50 years 18 19 White Male 2008 08-29-2011