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: 38
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
Abbitt, Joseph North Carolina Forsyth 1995 2009 Child Sex Abuse Life 14 31 Black Male 2009 09-01-2011
Alford, John North Carolina Mecklenburg 1975 1976 Murder Death 1 22 Black Male 1976 07-13-2022
Allen, Derrick North Carolina Durham 1999 2016 Murder Term of Years 43 3/4 to 54 years 11 19 Black Male 2010 12-16-2021
Amerson, Quincy North Carolina Harnett 2001 2024 Murder Life without parole 23 24 Black Male 2024 05-19-2024
Benton, John North Carolina Mecklenburg 1942 1943 Assault Term of Years 15 years 1 15 Black Male 1943 04-01-2021
Blackmon, James North Carolina Wake 1988 2019 Murder Life 32 26 Black Male 2019 09-03-2019
Brown, Keith North Carolina Wilson 1993 1999 Sexual Assault Term of Years 35 years 4 25 Black Male 1997 08-29-2011
Brown, Knolly Jr. North Carolina Edgecomb 2009 2016 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 5 to 6 3/4 years 4 37 Black Male 2013 10-26-2016
Carey, Anthony North Carolina Mecklenburg 1973 1974 Murder Death 1 20 Black Male 1974 10-05-2021
Chavis, Benjamin Jr. North Carolina New Hanover 1972 2012 Assault Term of Years 34 years 8 23 Black Male 1975 1981 11-17-2016
Cotton, Ronald North Carolina Alamance 1985 1995 Sexual Assault Life 10 22 Black Male 1995 08-29-2011
Daniels, Erick North Carolina Durham 2001 2008 Robbery Term of Years 10 to 14 years 7 14 Black Male 2008 08-29-2011
Epps, Reginald North Carolina New Hanover 1972 2012 Assault Term of Years 28 years 8 17 Black Male 1975 1980 11-17-2016
Evans, Timothy North Carolina Durham 2009 2024 Murder Term of Years 45 years 13 18 Black Male 2020 2022 03-07-2024
Garner, Terence North Carolina Johnston 1998 2002 Attempted Murder Term of Years 32 to 43 years 4 16 Black Male 1998 2002 08-29-2011
Grant, Israel North Carolina Mecklenburg 2007 2019 Robbery Term of Years 18 1/2 to 23 7/8 years 8 19 Black Male 2014 2016 02-04-2019
Grimes, Willie North Carolina Catawba 1988 2012 Sexual Assault Life 24 41 Black Male 2012 10-08-2012
Hoffman, Jonathon North Carolina Union 1996 2007 Murder Death 11 41 Black Male 2006 2007 08-31-2011
Hunt, Darryl North Carolina Forsyth 1985 2004 Murder Life 18 19 Black Male 2003 08-29-2011
Hunt, Darryl North Carolina Forsyth 1987 1990 Murder Term of Years 40 years 0 18 Black Male 1987 12-30-2023
Jacobs, Jerry North Carolina New Hanover 1972 2012 Assault Term of Years 29 years 8 18 Black Male 1975 1980 11-17-2016
Jean, Lesly North Carolina Onslow 1982 1991 Sexual Assault Life 9 22 Black Male 1991 08-29-2011
Matthews, Ernest North Carolina Duplin 1993 2016 Murder Term of Years 20 years 7 20 Black Male 2007 2000 10-26-2016
McEachern, Toney North Carolina Robeson 1993 1998 Child Sex Abuse Life 5 34 Black Male 1994 1998 09-02-2015
McInnis, Edward North Carolina Scotland 1988 2015 Sexual Assault Life 27 27 Black Male 2015 08-15-2015
McKoy, James North Carolina New Hanover 1972 2012 Assault Term of Years 29 years 8 17 Black Male 1975 1980 11-17-2016
Moore, Wayne North Carolina New Hanover 1972 2012 Assault Term of Years 29 years 8 18 Black Male 1975 1980 11-17-2016
Patrick, Marvin North Carolina New Hanover 1972 2012 Assault Term of Years 29 years 8 18 Black Male 1975 1980 11-17-2016
Sandy, Barshiri North Carolina Wake 2014 2016 Robbery Term of Years 21 years 2 32 Black Male 2016 08-06-2016
Shaw, Willie Jr. North Carolina Mecklenburg 2016 2021 Other Violent Felony Term of Years 8 2/3 to 11 5/12 5 43 Black Male 2019 2021 02-16-2021
Shelton, Horace North Carolina Buncombe 2012 2014 Forgery Term of Years 10 7/12 to 13 1/2 years 2 51 Black Male 2014 11-28-2016
Sledge, Joseph North Carolina Bladen 1978 2015 Murder Life 36 34 Black Male 2013 2015 01-23-2015
Smith, Sylvester North Carolina Brunswick 1984 2004 Child Sex Abuse Life 20 32 Black Male 2004 2004 08-29-2011
Snipes, Steven North Carolina Lee 1998 2003 Robbery Term of Years 7 years and 6 months 5 35 Black Male 2003 08-29-2011
Surpris, Henry North Carolina Wake 2014 2016 Robbery Term of Years 10 years 2 34 Black Male 2016 08-10-2016
Tindall, Connie North Carolina New Hanover 1972 2012 Assault Term of Years 31 years 8 21 Black Male 1975 1980 11-17-2016
Vereen, Willie North Carolina New Hanover 1972 2012 Assault Term of Years 29 years 8 17 Black Male 1975 1980 11-17-2016
Wright, William Jr. North Carolina New Hanover 1972 2012 Assault Term of Years 29 years 8 18 Black Male 1975 1980 11-17-2016