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
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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
Allen, Dante Ohio Hamilton 2005 2005 Kidnapping Not Sentenced 0 16 Black Male 2005 08-29-2011
Ballesteros, Juan Matta Fed-CA (Central) 1990 2018 Kidnapping Life without parole 0 40 Hispanic Male 1997 1990 04-20-2020
Begay, Wilson Oregon Wasco 2018 2021 Other Probation 0 49 Native American Male 2018 09-20-2021
Biddings, Darrell Fed-IL 1975 1976 Kidnapping Not Sentenced 1 21 Black Male 1976
Bradford, Marcellius Illinois Cook 1988 2001 Kidnapping Term of Years 12 years 6 17 Black Male 2001 1994 08-29-2011
Engel, Gary Missouri Clay 1991 2010 Kidnapping Term of Years 90 years 19 33 White Male 2010 08-29-2011
Faulkner, Kenneth California Kern 2000 2003 Kidnapping Term of Years 30 to Life 3 39 White Male 2000 2003 01-20-2014
Jaggar, Jesse Wisconsin Portage 2019 2023 Kidnapping Not Sentenced 0 39 White Male 2019 09-15-2023
Massey, Shawn Giovanni North Carolina Mecklenburg 1999 2010 Kidnapping Term of Years 11 1/2 to 15 1/4 years 11 25 Black Male 2010 08-29-2011
Roberts, Rodney New Jersey Essex 1996 2014 Kidnapping Term of Years 7 years 18 29 Black Male 2001 2014 03-25-2014
Rodrigues, Shaun Hawaii Hawaii 2002 2014 Kidnapping Term of Years 20 years 10 20 Other Male 2011 12-17-2014
Rome, Anthony Jr. South Dakota Minnehaha 1987 1990 Kidnapping Probation 0 47 White Male 1987 03-18-2014
Sawyer, Lonnie Union 1975 1977 Kidnapping Term of Years 28 to 32 years 2 18 White Male 1977
Sawyer, Sandy Union 1975 1977 Kidnapping Term of Years 32 to 40 years 2 21 White Male 1977
Smith, Ralph Ohio Fairfield 2000 2021 Kidnapping Term of Years 67 years 21 24 Black Male 2019 2021 10-14-2021
Sonnier, Ernest Texas Harris 1986 2018 Kidnapping Life 23 22 Black Male 2009 06-13-2018
Vaz, David Vermont Orleans 2022 2023 Kidnapping Not Sentenced 1 27 Black Male 2023 09-19-2023