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
Boyce, David Virginia Newport News City 1991 2013 Murder Life 22 19 White Male 2004 2013 09-24-2013
Carter, Joseph Virginia Norfolk City 1990 2021 Murder Life 26 Black Male 2018 2016 08-24-2021
Crittle, Yvonne Virginia Newport News City 1988 1997 Sexual Assault Term of Years 7 years 2 24 White Female 1996 1990 02-18-2016
Cunningham, Calvin Wayne Virginia Newport News City 1981 2011 Sexual Assault Term of Years 16 years 7 26 Black Male 1988 08-29-2011
Davidson, Willie Virginia Norfolk City 1981 2005 Sexual Assault Term of Years 20 years 11 24 Black Male 1992 08-29-2011
Dick, Joseph Jr. Virginia Norfolk City 1999 2016 Murder Life without parole 10 20 White Male 2005 2009 12-22-2016
Harward, Keith Virginia Newport News City 1983 2016 Murder Life 32 26 White Male 2016 04-15-2016
Lawton, Steven Virginia Newport News City 1990 1997 Sexual Assault Term of Years 72 years 6 37 Black Male 1996 1997 02-18-2016
McCray, Brian Virginia Norfolk City 1993 1994 Murder Term of Years 43 years 1 24 Black Male 1994 10-12-2011
Merritt, Gilbert III Virginia Norfolk City 2001 2024 Murder Term of Years 30 years 20 22 Black Male 2019 2022 04-04-2024
Morman, Bobbie Jr. Virginia Norfolk City 1993 2021 Attempt, Violent Term of Years 48 years 22 18 Black Male 2016 2016 08-16-2021
Ruffin, Julius Virginia Norfolk City 1982 2003 Sexual Assault Life 20 28 Black Male 2003 08-29-2011
Thorne, Esther Virginia Norfolk City 2014 2020 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 17 years 6 45 Black Female 2015 2020 09-17-2020
Tice, Derek Virginia Norfolk City 2000 2011 Murder Life without parole 9 27 White Male 2005 2009 10-17-2011
Whitfield, Arthur Lee Virginia Norfolk City 1982 2009 Sexual Assault Term of Years 63 years 23 26 Black Male 2004 08-29-2011
Williams, Danial Virginia Norfolk City 1999 2016 Murder Life without parole 11 25 White Male 2005 2009 12-22-2016
Wilson, Eric Virginia Norfolk City 1999 2017 Sexual Assault Term of Years 8 1/2 years 6 21 White Male 2005 2005 03-23-2017