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
Export Data
Select More Columns:
Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Term of Years Years lost Age Race Sex Year of recantation Date of Release Posting Date
Adams, Kenneth Illinois Cook 1978 1996 Murder Term of Years 75 years 18 22 Black Male 1994 1996 08-29-2011
Ellis, Bernard Illinois Cook 1996 2001 Murder Term of Years 55 years 6 26 Black Male 1996 2001 08-24-2014
Fulton, John Illinois Cook 2006 2019 Murder Term of Years 31 years 12 18 Black Male 2019 06-17-2020
Gardner, Lewis Illinois Cook 1995 2014 Murder Term of Years 30 years 12 15 Black Male 2001 2007 06-24-2014
Gray, Paula Illinois Cook 1978 2002 Murder Term of Years 50 years 7 17 Black Female 1994 1985 08-29-2011
Harris, Darien Illinois Cook 2014 2023 Murder Term of Years 76 years 10 18 Black Male 2023 01-03-2024
Haynes, Terrence Illinois Kankakee 2000 2019 Murder Term of Years 45 years 18 22 Black Male 2009 2019 06-11-2019
Mitchell, Anthony Illinois Cook 2006 2019 Murder Term of Years 31 years 12 17 Black Male 2019 05-29-2025
Montanez, Jose Illinois Cook 1994 2016 Murder Term of Years 55 years 22 25 Hispanic Male 1999 2016 07-23-2016
Patterson, Maurice Illinois Cook 2003 2010 Murder Term of Years 30 years 7 35 Black Male 2010 2010 08-29-2011
Phillips, Paul Illinois Cook 1995 2014 Murder Term of Years 30 years 12 17 Black Male 2001 2007 06-24-2014
Rosario, Adolfo Illinois Cook 1991 2022 Murder Term of Years 57 years 28 25 Hispanic Male 2019 03-12-2024
Serrano, Armando Illinois Cook 1994 2016 Murder Term of Years 55 years 22 20 Hispanic Male 1999 2016 07-23-2016
Velez, John Illinois Cook 2002 2017 Murder Term of Years 55 years 15 18 Hispanic Male 2001 2017 12-22-2017
Wynn, Morris Illinois Cook 2005 2006 Drug Possession or Sale Term of Years 8 years 2 21 White Male 2006 08-29-2011