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: 13
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
Campbell, MacArthur New Mexico Bernalillo 2003 2008 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 4 years 1 40 Black Male 2005 12-15-2016
Carden, Ronald Arkansas Pulaski 1982 1982 Murder Life 1 34 Don't Know Male 1982
Chavez, Matthew New Mexico Bernalillo 2018 2024 Murder Term of Years 23 years and 6 months 6 26 Hispanic Male 2024 2024 06-12-2024
Earnest, Ralph New Mexico Eddy 1983 2006 Murder Life 23 34 White Male 2006 2006 10-04-2018
Hobbs, Gregory New Mexico Chaves 2013 2023 Manslaughter Term of Years 7 years 1 22 Hispanic Male 2014 09-22-2023
Hopkins, Maurice Arkansas Jefferson 2016 2019 Sexual Assault Term of Years 12 years and 6 months 3 32 Black Male 2019 02-21-2019
Knee, Eric New Mexico Santa Fe 2017 2020 Child Sex Abuse Not Sentenced 2 69 White Male 2018 03-23-2020
Maestas, Charles New Mexico Rio Arriba 2003 2007 Sexual Assault Term of Years 3 years 3 39 Hispanic Male 2006 08-25-2016
Martinez, Benny New Mexico Eddy 1998 2001 Murder Term of Years 20 years 3 42 Hispanic Male 2001 02-28-2017
McClendon, Myrickki Arkansas Pulaski 2011 2018 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 25 years 2 32 Black Male 2013 12-13-2018
Mercer, Ellen New Mexico Dona Ana 2002 2006 Fraud Probation 0 46 White Female 2002 11-11-2019
Scamardo, Joseph Anthony Jr. Arkansas Sebastian 2010 2013 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 12 years 3 35 White Male 2013 12-30-2013
Wilcox, George Arkansas Pulaski 1998 2001 Assault Not Sentenced 0 55 White Male 1998 06-22-2016