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: 19
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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
Artis, John New Jersey Passaic 1967 1988 Murder Term of Years 15 years to life 15 19 Black Male 1981 08-04-2020
Botts, Nancy Louise Indiana Howard 1934 1935 Forgery Term of Years 2 to 14 years 1 27 White Female 1935
Carter, Rubin New Jersey Passaic 1967 1988 Murder Term of Years 30 years to life 19 29 Black Male 1986 08-04-2020
Cochran, John D. Indiana Wabash 1888 1890 Murder Life 2 White Male 1890
de los Santos, Jorge New Jersey Essex 1975 1983 Murder Life 8 30 Hispanic Male 1983
Forrest, McKinley New Jersey Mercer 1948 1951 Murder Death 3 35 Black Male 1951
Hicks, Larry Indiana Lake 1978 1980 Murder Death 2 19 Black Male 1980
Hogan, Virgil Indiana Allen 1958 1962 Robbery Term of Years 10 to 25 years 5 26 Don't Know Male 1962 04-14-2021
Lester, C. Elizabeth New Jersey Somerset 1935 1951 Forgery Term of Years 0.75 years 1 46 White Female 1936
McKenzie, John New Jersey Mercer 1948 1951 Murder Death 3 24 Black Male 1951
Merritt, George New Jersey Union 1968 1980 Murder Life 11 24 Black Male 1980
Morello, Raffaelo New Jersey Essex 1918 1926 Murder Life 11 25 White Male 1929
Nelson, Melvin Indiana Lake 1975 1978 Other Nonviolent Felony Life 3 33 Black Male 1978 04-14-2021
Shephard, Clifford New Jersey Middlesex 1935 1950 Forgery Term of Years 0.75 years 1 49 White Male 1936
Singleton, Edward Indiana Lake 1931 1935 Robbery Term of Years 10 years 4 39 White Male 1935
Thorpe, James New Jersey Mercer 1948 1951 Murder Death 3 24 Black Male 1951
Walker, Nathaniel New Jersey Union 1976 1986 Sexual Assault Life 10 32 Black Male 1986
Wilson, Horace New Jersey Mercer 1948 1951 Murder Death 3 37 Black Male 1951
Zambino, Luigi New Jersey Mercer 1906 1909 Forgery Term of Years 6 years 3 White Male 1909