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: 16
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Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Years lost Age Race Sex Year of recantation Date of Release Posting Date
Abbott, Stearns Kendall Massachusetts Middlesex 1880 1911 Murder Death 31 40 White Male 1911
Dexter, Clarence Richard Jr. Missouri Clay 1991 1999 Murder Death 8 49 White Male 1998 1999 08-29-2011
Drinkard, Gary Alabama Morgan 1995 2001 Murder Death 6 37 White Male 2001 08-29-2011
Golden, Andrew Florida Polk 1991 1994 Murder Death 2 45 White Male 1994 08-29-2011
Jones, Tom Bell 1935 1938 Murder Death 3 20 White Male 1938
Lee, Lawrence William Jr. Georgia Wayne 1987 2015 Murder Death 28 25 White Male DK 2015 01-18-2016
McCormick, Michael Lee Tennessee Jefferson 1987 2007 Murder Death 16 32 White Male 2003 08-29-2011
Newman, Rickey Arkansas Crawford 2002 2017 Murder Death 15 43 White Male 2017 10-30-2017
Ogrod, Walter Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1996 2020 Murder Death 24 23 White Male 2020 06-25-2020
Paradis, Donald Idaho Kootenai 1981 2001 Murder Death 19 30 White Male 2001 08-29-2011
Steidl, Gordon Illinois Edgar 1987 2004 Murder Death 17 35 White Male 1988 2004 08-29-2011
Vann, Gussie Tennessee McMinn 1994 2011 Murder Death 0 40 White Male 1994 03-13-2012
Wilhoit, Gregory Oklahoma Osage 1987 1993 Murder Death 6 30 White Male 1993 08-29-2011
Williamson, Ronald Keith Oklahoma Pontotoc 1988 1999 Murder Death 11 29 White Male 1999 1999 08-29-2011
Willis, Ernest Ray Texas Pecos 1987 2004 Murder Death 17 39 White Male 2004 08-29-2011
Yarris, Nicholas Pennsylvania Delaware 1982 2003 Murder Death 21 20 White Male 1983 2003 08-29-2011