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: 15
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Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Term of Years Years lost Age Race Sex Year of recantation Date of Release Posting Date
Ballard, Frances Tennessee Shelby 1987 1993 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 5 years 0 54 White Female 1988 03-21-2013
Cox, Teresa Lynne California Kern 1985 2000 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 10 years 5 17 White Female DK 1990 08-29-2011
Craig, Sandra Maryland Howard 1987 1991 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 10 years 4 37 Black Female 1991 02-21-2012
Dill, Grace California Kern 1985 1991 Child Sex Abuse Life 5 50 White Female 1989 1990 08-29-2011
Forsythe, Colleen Dill California Kern 1985 1991 Child Sex Abuse Life 5 26 White Female 1989 1990 08-29-2011
Keller, Frances Texas Travis 1992 2017 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 48 years 21 41 White Female 2009 2013 06-24-2017
Kniffen, Brenda California Kern 1984 1996 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 20 to 22 years and 4 months 12 29 White Female 1991 1996 08-29-2011
McCuan, Deborah California Kern 1984 1996 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 20 to 22 years and 4 months 12 25 White Female 1991 1996 08-29-2011
Pitts, Marcella California Kern 1985 1991 Child Sex Abuse Life 5 29 White Female 1989 1990 08-29-2011
Smith, Nancy Ohio Lorain 1994 2022 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 30 to 90 years 15 35 White Female 2009 03-18-2022
Swain, Lorinda Michigan Calhoun 2002 2016 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 25 to 50 years 7 36 White Female 2002 2009 05-24-2016
Taylor, Ruth California Kern 1985 2001 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 6 years 3 31 White Female DK 1988 08-29-2011
Wilcox, Jennifer Ohio Montgomery 1985 1997 Child Sex Abuse Life 11 20 White Female 1992 1996 08-29-2011
Williams, Emmaline Illinois Cook 1986 1995 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 12 years 8 43 Black Female 1994 07-03-2014
Wilson, Kathryn Dawn North Carolina Chowan 1993 1997 Child Sex Abuse Life 3 22 White Female 1995 08-29-2011