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: 34
Select More Columns:
Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Years lost Age Race Sex Year of recantation Date of Release Posting Date
Ansari, Alexandre Michigan Wayne 2013 2019 Murder Life without parole 5 28 Black Male 2019 12-18-2019
Bear, Johnny Tall Oklahoma Oklahoma 1992 2018 Murder Life without parole 26 34 Native American Male 2018 06-14-2018
Brown, LeeVester Mississippi Coahoma 2006 2018 Murder Life without parole 9 33 Black Male 2014 2015 07-26-2021
Bueso, David Louisiana East Baton Rouge 2019 2021 Murder Life without parole 2 19 Hispanic Male 2021 08-02-2021
Cadogan, Donovan Wisconsin La Crosse 2013 2017 Other Nonviolent Felony Life without parole 5 29 White Male 2017 09-24-2017
Cannon, Philip Scott Oregon Polk 2000 2009 Murder Life without parole 10 32 White Male 2009 08-29-2011
Clay, David Sr. Missouri St. Louis 1988 1999 Murder Life without parole 11 37 Black Male 1999 04-18-2013
Coley, Craig California Ventura 1980 2017 Murder Life without parole 38 31 White Male 2017 12-03-2017
Cortez, George Pennsylvania Philadelphia 2012 2016 Murder Life without parole 4 30 Black Male 2016 06-14-2016
Dunn, Lisa Kansas Thomas 1985 1992 Murder Life without parole 7 18 White Female 1992 12-07-2023
Esse, Eric Iowa Cerro Gordo 2003 2006 Murder Life without parole 3 33 White Male 2006 07-18-2013
Gavitt, David Lee Michigan Ionia 1986 2012 Murder Life without parole 26 26 White Male 2012 06-07-2012
Goodin, Anthony Georgia Lowndes 1988 1989 Murder Life without parole 1 22 White Male 1989 07-24-2024
Grega, John Vermont Windham 1995 2013 Murder Life without parole 17 32 White Male 2012 08-22-2013
Hastings, Maurice California Los Angeles 1988 2022 Murder Life without parole 34 29 Black Male 2022 01-30-2023
Hunter, Darrell California Marin 2000 2008 Murder Life without parole 8 22 Black Male 2008 09-30-2012
Hunter, James Kansas Thomas 1985 1988 Murder Life without parole 7 33 White Male 1992 12-07-2023
Jackson, Richard Pennsylvania Delaware 1998 2000 Murder Life without parole 1 40 Black Male 1999 1999 08-29-2011
James, Henry Louisiana Jefferson 1982 2011 Sexual Assault Life without parole 29 20 Black Male 2011 01-13-2012
Johnson, Rickey Louisiana Sabine 1983 2008 Sexual Assault Life without parole 25 26 Black Male 2008 08-29-2011
Jones, Lydia Diane Alabama Jefferson 2000 2006 Drug Possession or Sale Life without parole 6 40 Black Female 2006 08-24-2014
Lee, Han Tak Pennsylvania Monroe 1990 2015 Murder Life without parole 24 54 Asian Male 2014 12-28-2015
Mahan, Ronnie Alabama Jefferson 1986 1998 Sexual Assault Life without parole 11 26 White Male 1997 08-29-2011
Nolen, Kelvin Michigan Wayne 2016 2022 Murder Life without parole 7 26 Black Male 2016 2022 01-12-2023
Salley, MarQuise Pennsylvania Philadelphia 2010 2019 Murder Life without parole 9 22 Black Male 2019 09-29-2019
Salter, Aaron Michigan Wayne 2003 2018 Murder Life without parole 15 20 Black Male 2009 2018 08-20-2018
Shannon, Michael Louisiana Orleans 2011 2018 Murder Life without parole 6 41 Black Male 2017 02-15-2018
Stewart, Kia Louisiana Orleans 2009 2015 Murder Life without parole 6 17 Black Male 2015 04-15-2015
Toth, Andrew Allegheny 1891 1911 Murder Life without parole 20 41 White Male 1911
Towns, Parrish Michigan Wayne 1983 2007 Murder Life without parole 20 20 Black Male 2003 04-13-2020
Varela, Joaquin Illinois Cook 1982 1991 Murder Life without parole 8 22 Hispanic Male 1991 08-29-2011
Webb, Kenneth Michigan Washtenaw 1987 2022 Murder Life without parole 35 30 White Male 2022 11-14-2022
Williams, Michael Anthony Louisiana Jackson 1981 2005 Sexual Assault Life without parole 24 16 Black Male 2005 08-29-2011
Willis, Patrick California Alameda 2013 2021 Murder Life without parole 8 28 Black Male 2021 06-18-2021