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
Ayers, David Ohio Cuyahoga 2000 2011 Murder Life without parole 11 42 Black Male 2011 02-21-2012 Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct H, IO, JI, SA OF, WH, NW, WT
Booker, Donte Ohio Cuyahoga 1987 2005 Sexual Assault Term of Years 10 to 25 years 15 18 Black Male 2002 08-29-2011 Mistaken Witness ID SA
Brown, Danny Ohio Lucas 1982 2001 Murder Life 19 24 Black Male 2001 08-29-2011 Mistaken Witness ID H, IO, SA
Brunner, Eric Ohio Stark 1996 2023 Sexual Assault Term of Years 9 to 40 years 13 24 Black Male 2009 10-26-2023 Mistaken Witness ID IO, SA
Costilla, Louis Jr. Ohio Lucas 1993 2025 Murder Term of Years 15 to life 27 20 Hispanic Male 2016 2020 01-14-2025 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct CDC, H, IO PR, OF, WH, NW, WT
Elkins, Clarence Ohio Summit 1999 2005 Murder Term of Years 55 to Life 7 35 White Male 2002 2005 08-29-2011 Mistaken Witness ID CV, H, IO, SA
Fears, Joseph R. Jr. Ohio Franklin 1984 2009 Sexual Assault Term of Years 15 to 25 years 25 34 Black Male 2009 08-29-2011 Mistaken Witness ID SA
Green, Anthony Michael Ohio Cuyahoga 1988 2001 Sexual Assault Term of Years 20 to 50 years 13 22 Black Male 2001 08-29-2011 Mistaken Witness ID, False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Official Misconduct IO, SA PR, OF, FA, WH, NW, WT, PJ
Horton, Richard Ohio Franklin 2006 2023 Robbery Term of Years 23 years 16 28 Black Male 2022 07-17-2023 Mistaken Witness ID, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct IO PR, OF, WH, NW, PJ
Jones, Dewey Ohio Summit 1995 2014 Murder Life 19 30 White Male 2013 02-03-2014 Mistaken Witness ID, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct H, IO, JI PR, WH
King, Evin Ohio Cuyahoga 1995 2017 Murder Term of Years 15 to life 22 37 Black Male 2017 11-13-2017 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence CIU, H, IO, SA
McClendon, Robert Ohio Franklin 1991 2008 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 15 to Life 17 34 Black Male 2008 08-29-2011 Mistaken Witness ID, False or Misleading Forensic Evidence CV, IO, SA
Miller, Christopher Ohio Cuyahoga 2002 2018 Sexual Assault Term of Years 40 years 16 24 Black Male 2018 06-29-2018 Mistaken Witness ID, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct CIU, IO, SA OF, WH, NW, PJ
Misch, Eric Ohio Lucas 1993 2024 Murder Term of Years 20 years to life 26 16 White Male 2016 2020 12-08-2024 False Confession, False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct H, IO, JV PR, OF, WH, NW, WT, INT, PJ
Piszczek, Brian Ohio Cuyahoga 1991 1994 Sexual Assault Term of Years 15 to 25 years 3 22 White Male 1994 08-29-2011 Mistaken Witness ID IO, SA
Rickard, Joseph Ohio Lucas 1993 2025 Murder Term of Years 15 to life 27 24 White Male 2016 2020 01-14-2025 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct CDC, H, IO PR, OF, WH, NW, WT
Siller, Thomas Ohio Cuyahoga 1998 2011 Murder Term of Years 30 to life 13 41 White Male 2011 10-04-2013 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct CDC, H, IO FA, WH, NW, PJ
Smith, Walter D. Ohio Franklin 1986 1996 Sexual Assault Term of Years 78 to Life 10 27 Black Male 1996 08-29-2011 Mistaken Witness ID IO, SA
Towler, Raymond Ohio Cuyahoga 1981 2010 Child Sex Abuse Life 29 24 Black Male 2010 08-29-2011 Mistaken Witness ID, False or Misleading Forensic Evidence CV, IO, SA
Vasquez, Ismael Ohio Lucas 1994 2025 Murder Term of Years 15 to life 31 16 Hispanic Male 2016 2024 01-14-2025 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct CDC, H, IO, JV, P PR, OF, WH, NW, WT
Vasquez, Lorenzo Ohio Lucas 1994 2025 Murder Term of Years 15 to life 21 17 Hispanic Male 2016 2015 01-14-2025 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct CDC, H, IO, JV, P PR, OF, WH, NW, WT
Zimmer, Walter Ohio Cuyahoga 1998 2011 Manslaughter Term of Years 50 years 13 40 White Male 2011 10-04-2013 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct CDC, H, IO FA, WH, NW, PJ