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: 17
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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
Buchhorn, Carrody Kansas Douglas 2018 2022 Murder Term of Years 10 years and 3 months 3 42 White Female 2021 01-25-2023
Campbell, MacArthur New Mexico Bernalillo 2003 2008 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 4 years 1 40 Black Male 2005 12-15-2016
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
Dunn, Lisa Kansas Thomas 1985 1992 Murder Life without parole 7 18 White Female 1992 12-07-2023
Earnest, Ralph New Mexico Eddy 1983 2006 Murder Life 23 34 White Male 2006 2006 10-04-2018
Ellison, Jason Kansas Douglas 2006 2011 Sexual Assault Term of Years 23 years 5 23 White Male 2008 2011 01-16-2012
Garza, Merardo Jr. Kansas Sedgwick 2008 2021 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 25 to Life 13 37 Hispanic Male 2012 2020 02-08-2022
Harper, Bobby Kansas Sedgwick 1987 2020 Burglary/Unlawful Entry Term of Years 3 1/2 to 7 years 2 28 White Male 1989 04-20-2020
Hobbs, Gregory New Mexico Chaves 2013 2023 Manslaughter Term of Years 7 years 1 22 Hispanic Male 2014 09-22-2023
Hunter, James Kansas Thomas 1985 1988 Murder Life without parole 7 33 White Male 1992 12-07-2023
Jones, Joe C. Kansas Shawnee 1986 1992 Sexual Assault Life 6 23 Black Male 1992 08-29-2011
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
Mata, Michael Kansas Clay 2011 2011 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 2 years 1 13 White Male 2011 06-12-2019
Mercer, Ellen New Mexico Dona Ana 2002 2006 Fraud Probation 0 46 White Female 2002 11-11-2019
Swenson, Nathaniel Kansas Sedgwick 2000 2013 Attempted Murder Term of Years 16 years and 11 months 10 21 Black Male 2010 12-11-2013