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: 22
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 Contributing Factors Display Case Characteristics Recantation OM Tags DNA
Alexander, Richard Indiana St. Joseph 1998 2001 Sexual Assault Term of Years 70 years 4 29 Black Male 2001 08-29-2011 Mistaken Witness ID, False or Misleading Forensic Evidence SA
Allen, Christopher Indiana St. Joseph 2002 2006 Murder Life 144 years 2 27 Black Male 2004 09-09-2016 Mistaken Witness ID, False or Misleading Forensic Evidence H
Barnhouse, William Indiana Delaware 1992 2017 Sexual Assault Term of Years 80 years 24 35 White Male 2017 05-14-2017 Mistaken Witness ID, False or Misleading Forensic Evidence IO, SA
Benson, Leon Indiana Marion 1999 2023 Murder Term of Years 60 years 24 22 Black Male 2023 03-21-2023 Mistaken Witness ID, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct, Inadequate Legal Defense CIU, H, IO PR, OF, WH
Botts, Nancy Louise Indiana Howard 1934 1935 Forgery Term of Years 2 to 14 years 1 27 White Female 1935 Mistaken Witness ID
Buntin, Harold Indiana Marion 1986 2007 Sexual Assault Term of Years 50 years 21 15 Black Male 2007 08-29-2011 Mistaken Witness ID, False or Misleading Forensic Evidence JV, SA
Cooper, Keith Indiana Elkhart 1997 2017 Robbery Term of Years 40 years 9 29 Black Male 2004 2006 02-18-2017 Mistaken Witness ID, False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct, Inadequate Legal Defense CV, IO, JI OF, WH, NW, WT, PJ
Donald, Willie Indiana Lake 1992 2016 Murder Term of Years 60 years 24 23 Black Male 2013 2016 02-09-2016 Mistaken Witness ID, Official Misconduct H, IO PR, OF, WH, NW, WT
Glenn, Roosevelt Indiana Lake 1993 2017 Sexual Assault Term of Years 36 years 17 27 Black Male 2009 02-18-2017 Mistaken Witness ID, Perjury or False Accusation, False or Misleading Forensic Evidence IO, JI, SA
Goudy, Walter Indiana Madison 1995 2012 Murder Life 110 years 15 25 Black Male 2010 10-10-2012 Mistaken Witness ID, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct CDC, H PR, WH, NW, KP
Hatcher, Gerald Indiana Marion 1978 1989 Robbery Term of Years 90 years 10 24 Black Male 1989 05-01-2023 Mistaken Witness ID, Official Misconduct, Inadequate Legal Defense PR, NW
Hill, James Indiana Lake 1982 2009 Sexual Assault Term of Years 35 years 16 17 Black Male 1998 12-30-2013 Mistaken Witness ID, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct JV, SA PR, OF, WH
Hogan, Virgil Indiana Allen 1958 1962 Robbery Term of Years 10 to 25 years 5 26 Don't Know Male 1962 04-14-2021 Mistaken Witness ID
Mayes, Larry Indiana Lake 1982 2001 Sexual Assault Term of Years 80 years 19 30 Black Male 2001 08-29-2011 Mistaken Witness ID, Official Misconduct IO, SA PR, WH
Nelson, Melvin Indiana Lake 1975 1978 Other Nonviolent Felony Life 3 33 Black Male 1978 04-14-2021 Mistaken Witness ID
Parish, Christopher Indiana Elkhart 1998 2006 Attempted Murder Term of Years 30 years 8 21 Black Male 2004 2006 08-29-2011 Mistaken Witness ID, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct, Inadequate Legal Defense CV OF, WH, NW, WT, PJ
Pinkins, Darryl Indiana Lake 1991 2016 Sexual Assault Term of Years 65 years 25 37 Black Male 2016 04-28-2016 Mistaken Witness ID, Perjury or False Accusation, False or Misleading Forensic Evidence IO, JI, SA
Scruggs, Dwayne Indiana Marion 1986 1993 Sexual Assault Term of Years 40 years 8 32 Black Male 1993 08-29-2011 Mistaken Witness ID, Inadequate Legal Defense CV, SA
Sims, Mack Indiana Elkhart 1994 2019 Attempted Murder Term of Years 35 years 16 21 Black Male 2011 05-16-2019 Mistaken Witness ID, Official Misconduct PR, OF, WH, NW, WT
Singleton, Edward Indiana Lake 1931 1935 Robbery Term of Years 10 years 4 39 White Male 1935 Mistaken Witness ID
Thomas, Deama Indiana St. Joseph 1989 1992 Robbery Term of Years 6 years 3 27 Black Male 1992 09-05-2017 Mistaken Witness ID
Yates, Michael Indiana Howard 2009 2023 Attempt, Violent Term of Years 20 years 1 25 Black Male 2010 03-07-2023 Mistaken Witness ID, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct, Inadequate Legal Defense CDC PR, OF, WH, NW, KP, WT