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: 21
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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
Andersen, Daniel Illinois Cook 1982 2015 Murder Term of Years 55 years 25 19 White Male 2007 08-15-2015
Bailey, Kevin Illinois Cook 1990 2018 Murder Term of Years 80 years 27 19 Black Male 2018 02-03-2018
Coleman, Nevest Illinois Cook 1997 2017 Murder Life without parole 21 25 Black Male 2017 12-04-2017
Cruz, Rolando Illinois DuPage 1985 1995 Murder Death 11 19 Hispanic Male 1995 1995 08-29-2011
Dotson, Gary Illinois Cook 1979 1989 Sexual Assault Term of Years 25 to 50 years 6 20 White Male 1985 1985 08-29-2011
Edwards, James Illinois Lake 1996 2012 Murder Life without parole 1 44 Black Male 1997 06-10-2012
Fulton, Darryl Illinois Cook 1997 2017 Murder Life without parole 21 26 Black Male 2017 12-04-2017
Fulton, John Illinois Cook 2006 2019 Murder Term of Years 31 years 12 18 Black Male 2019 06-17-2020
Hernandez, Alejandro Illinois DuPage 1985 1995 Murder Death 11 19 Hispanic Male 1995 1995 08-29-2011
Maxson, Mark Illinois Cook 1994 2016 Murder Life without parole 23 31 Black Male 2016 10-02-2016
Mitchell, Anthony Illinois Cook 2006 2019 Murder Term of Years 31 years 12 17 Black Male 2019 06-17-2020
Ollins, Calvin Illinois Cook 1988 2001 Murder Life without parole 14 14 Black Male 2001 2001 08-29-2011
Ollins, Larry Illinois Cook 1988 2001 Murder Life 13 16 Black Male 2001 2001 08-29-2011
Patterson, Maurice Illinois Cook 2003 2010 Murder Term of Years 30 years 7 35 Black Male 2010 2010 08-29-2011
Reed, Carl Illinois Cook 2005 2023 Murder Term of Years 27 years 14 41 Black Male 2020 06-15-2023
Reynolds, Donald Illinois Cook 1988 1997 Sexual Assault Term of Years 69 years 10 20 Black Male 1997 08-29-2011
Saunders, Omar Illinois Cook 1988 2001 Murder Life without parole 14 18 Black Male 2001 2001 08-29-2011
Starks, Bennie Illinois Lake 1986 2013 Sexual Assault Term of Years 60 years 20 26 Black Male 2006 01-07-2013
Wardell, Billy Illinois Cook 1988 1997 Sexual Assault Term of Years 69 years 10 21 Black Male 1997 08-29-2011
Williams, Herman Illinois Lake 1994 2022 Murder Life without parole 29 29 White Male 2022 09-26-2022
Willis, John Illinois Cook 1993 1999 Sexual Assault Life 6 42 Black Male 1999 08-29-2011