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: 18
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Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Term of Years Years lost Age Race Sex Date of Release Posting Date
Baker, Edward Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1974 2002 Murder Life 25 17 Black Male 1999 08-29-2011
Bilger, George Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1938 1940 Murder Death 2 19 White Male 1940 10-25-2021
Frazier, James Pennsylvania Philadelphia 2013 2019 Murder Life without parole 6 19 Black Male 2019 04-26-2019
Godschalk, Bruce Pennsylvania Montgomery 1987 2002 Sexual Assault Term of Years 10 to 20 years 15 25 White Male 2002 08-29-2011
Gwynn, Daniel Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1995 2024 Murder Death 28 24 Black Male 2024 03-14-2024
Handley, Zachary Pennsylvania Northampton 2008 2015 Arson Term of Years 6 to 12 months 1 13 White Male 2009 05-15-2015
Kelly, William M. Jr. Pennsylvania Dauphin 1990 1993 Murder Term of Years 10 to 20 years 3 28 White Male 1993 08-29-2011
Laughman, Barry Pennsylvania Adams 1988 2004 Murder Life 15 24 White Male 2003 08-29-2011
Lazar, Steven Pennsylvania Philadelphia 2010 2023 Murder Life 13 22 White Male 2023 04-10-2023
McCoy, Sherman Pennsylvania Philadelphia 2016 2019 Murder Life without parole 3 20 Black Male 2019 05-22-2019
Ogrod, Walter Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1996 2020 Murder Death 24 23 White Male 2020 06-25-2020
Onyiah, Obina Pennsylvania Philadelphia 2013 2021 Murder Life without parole 2 27 Black Male 2015 05-22-2021
Pacek, Jerry Pennsylvania Allegheny 1959 1991 Murder Term of Years 10 to 20 years 10 13 White Male 1968 08-29-2011
Rivera, Miguel Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1974 1987 Murder Life 8 25 Hispanic Male 1983
Sheeler, Rudolph Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1939 1951 Murder Life 12 23 White Male 1951
Turner, Aaron Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1946 1957 Murder Death 11 26 Black Male 1957 11-26-2019
Veasy, Willie Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1993 2019 Murder Life without parole 27 26 Black Male 2019 10-17-2019
Wilkinson, Robert Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1976 1977 Murder Not Sentenced 1 26 White Male 1977