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: 14
Export All Data
Select More Columns:
Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Term of Years Years lost Age Race Sex Year of recantation Date of Release Posting Date
Brown, Arthur Illinois Cook 1990 2017 Murder Life without parole 28 37 Black Male 2002 2017 11-26-2017
Fulton, John Illinois Cook 2006 2019 Murder Term of Years 31 years 12 18 Black Male 2019 06-17-2020
Gardner, Lewis Illinois Cook 1995 2014 Murder Term of Years 30 years 12 15 Black Male 2001 2007 06-24-2014
Gray, Paula Illinois Cook 1978 2002 Murder Term of Years 50 years 7 17 Black Female 1994 1985 08-29-2011
Horton, John Illinois Winnebago 1995 2017 Murder Life without parole 22 17 Black Male 1998 2017 10-09-2017
Kitchen, Ronald Illinois Cook 1990 2009 Murder Death 19 22 Black Male 2002 2009 08-29-2011
Kluppelberg, James Illinois Cook 1989 2012 Murder Life 23 18 White Male 2007 2012 05-31-2012
Melock, Robert Illinois Lake 1989 2024 Murder Death 35 22 White Male 2024 01-02-2025
Mitchell, Anthony Illinois Cook 2006 2019 Murder Term of Years 31 years 12 17 Black Male 2019 06-17-2020
Patrick, Deon Illinois Cook 1995 2014 Murder Life without parole 19 20 Black Male 2001 2014 01-10-2014
Phillips, Paul Illinois Cook 1995 2014 Murder Term of Years 30 years 12 17 Black Male 2001 2007 06-24-2014
Taylor, Daniel Illinois Cook 1995 2013 Murder Life without parole 18 17 Black Male 2001 2013 06-28-2013
Williams, Herman Illinois Lake 1994 2022 Murder Life without parole 29 29 White Male 2022 09-26-2022
Wilson, Jackie Illinois Cook 1983 2020 Murder Life without parole 35 21 Black Male 2018 2018 10-16-2020