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: 617
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Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Years lost Age Race Sex Year of recantation Date of Release Posting Date
Williams, Thomas Wayne Texas Dallas 1998 2000 Drug Possession or Sale Life 2 38 Black Male 2000 08-29-2011
Williams, Willie Florida Duval 1976 2024 Attempted Murder Life 44 30 Black Male 2020 01-09-2024
Willis, Cedric Mississippi Hinds 1997 2006 Murder Life 9 19 Black Male 2006 08-29-2011
Willis, John Illinois Cook 1993 1999 Sexual Assault Life 6 42 Black Male 1999 08-29-2011
Willoughby, Troy Wyoming Sublette 2010 2012 Murder Life 2 20 White Male 2012 04-18-2012
Wilson, Kathryn Dawn North Carolina Chowan 1993 1997 Child Sex Abuse Life 3 22 White Female 1995 08-29-2011
Wilson, William Alabama Blount 1915 1918 Murder Life 3 38 White Male 1918
Winfrey, Megan Texas San Jacinto 2008 2013 Murder Life 5 16 White Female 2013 04-18-2013
Wirkkala, Luke Oregon Deschutes 2014 2021 Murder Life 7 32 White Male 2021 04-28-2021
Woodall, Glen West Virginia Cabell 1987 1992 Sexual Assault Life 4 28 White Male 1991 08-29-2011
Woodard, James Lee Texas Dallas 1981 2008 Murder Life 27 26 Black Male DK 2008 08-29-2011
Woodworth, Mark Missouri Livingston 1995 2014 Murder Life 19 16 White Male 2014 07-23-2014
Wright, Isaac Jr. New Jersey Somerset 1991 1998 Drug Possession or Sale Life 6 28 Black Male 1996 1996 05-10-2023
Wurdemann, John Idaho Canyon 2002 2018 Attempted Murder Life 13 29 Native American Male 2011 2015 10-02-2018
Wyatt, Rickey Dale Texas Dallas 1981 2012 Sexual Assault Life 30 25 Black Male 2012 08-30-2012
Yelder, George Alabama Lowndes 1928 1928 Murder Life 0 55 Black Male 1928
Zimmerman, Evan Wisconsin Eau Claire 2001 2005 Murder Life 3 53 White Male 2004 08-29-2011