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: 221
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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
Watkins, John Arizona Maricopa 2004 2010 Sexual Assault Term of Years 14 years 7 19 White Male 2010 08-29-2011
Whirl, Shawn Illinois Cook 1991 2015 Murder Term of Years 60 years 24 20 Black Male 2015 10-22-2015
White, Joseph Nebraska Gage 1989 2008 Murder Life 19 22 White Male 2008 2008 08-29-2011
Wilkerson, Mike Missouri Jasper 2000 2017 Sexual Assault Not Sentenced 17 39 White Male 2017 07-05-2017
Williams, Archie Louisiana East Baton Rouge 1983 2019 Attempted Murder Life without parole 36 22 Black Male 2019 03-23-2019
Williams, Danial Virginia Norfolk City 1999 2016 Murder Life without parole 11 25 White Male 2005 2009 12-22-2016
Williams, Jimmy Ohio Summit 1991 2001 Child Sex Abuse Life 10 20 Black Male 2001 2001 08-29-2011
Williams, Joe Sidney Jr. Texas McLennan 1987 1993 Murder Life 6 19 Black Male 1993 08-29-2011
Williams, Johnny Jr. California Alameda 2000 2013 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 16 years 13 23 Black Male 2013 03-08-2013
Williams, Richard California Sacramento 1998 2015 Murder Life without parole 17 18 Black Male 2015 01-26-2016
Wilson, Donald Indiana Gibson 1995 1997 Other Violent Felony Term of Years 2 years and 2 months 1 42 White Male 1995 1996 09-29-2017
Wilson, Elon Virginia Fairfax 2019 2021 Weapon Possession or Sale Term of Years 3 years and 1 month 2 23 Black Male 2021 11-12-2024
Wilson, Johnny Lee Missouri Lawrence 1987 1995 Murder Life without parole 8 20 White Male 1989 1995 08-29-2011
Wilson, Sharrif New York Kings 1994 2014 Murder Term of Years 9 to Life 20 15 Black Male 1994 2014 02-11-2014
Winslow, Thomas Nebraska Gage 1990 2009 Accessory to Murder Term of Years 50 years 18 19 White Male 2008 2008 08-29-2011
Winston, Michael Illinois Cook 2007 2012 Murder Term of Years 40 years 5 21 Black Male 2007 2012 07-05-2012
Womble, Willie North Carolina Granville 1976 2014 Murder Term of Years 80 years 38 21 Black Male 2014 10-17-2014
Woodside, Gary Jr. New York Jefferson 1989 2007 Manslaughter Term of Years 1 1/3 to 4 years 3 20 White Male 1992 12-20-2013
Wright, Louis Michigan Calhoun 1988 2023 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 25 to 50 years 35 29 White Male 2023 12-06-2023
Wurdemann, John Idaho Canyon 2002 2018 Attempted Murder Life 13 29 Native American Male 2011 2015 10-02-2018
Zamora, Joseph Washington Grant 2019 2023 Assault Term of Years 38 months 2 35 Hispanic Male 2021 06-06-2024