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: 19
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Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Term of Years Years lost Age Race Sex Date of Release Posting Date
Barrientos-Quintana, Edgar Minnesota Hennepin 2009 2024 Murder Life without parole 15 25 Hispanic Male 2024 12-05-2024
Bolden, Abraham Fed-IL (Northern) 1964 2022 Bribery Term of Years 6 years 3 29 Black Male 1967 05-06-2022
Burnside, Thomas Fed-IL (Northern) 1991 1994 Drug Possession or Sale Not Sentenced 2 41 Black Male 1994 12-08-2014
Catton, James Fed-IL (Central) 1994 2004 Fraud Term of Years 1 year and 9 months 0 43 White Male 1994 10-06-2014
Davis, Rennie Fed-IL (Northern) 1970 1973 Other Nonviolent Felony Term of Years 5 years and $5,000 fine 0 28 White Male 1970 02-11-2023
Dellinger, David Fed-IL (Northern) 1970 1973 Other Nonviolent Felony Term of Years 5 years and $5,000 fine 0 52 White Male 1970 02-11-2023
Griffin, Codell Fed-IL (Northern) 1991 1994 Drug Possession or Sale Not Sentenced 3 41 Black Male 1994 12-08-2014
Hankins, Leonard Minnesota Hennepin 1933 1953 Murder Life 20 36 White Male 1953
Hayden, Thomas Fed-IL (Northern) 1970 1973 Other Nonviolent Felony Term of Years 5 years and $5,000 fine 0 28 White Male 1970 02-11-2023
Haynes, Marvin Minnesota Hennepin 2005 2023 Murder Life 18 16 Black Male 2023 12-18-2023
Hill, Benjamin Minnesota Ramsey 2013 2018 Weapon Possession or Sale Term of Years 5 years 3 30 White Male 2016 03-30-2022
Hoffman, Abbie Fed-IL (Northern) 1970 1973 Other Nonviolent Felony Term of Years 5 years and $5,000 fine 0 29 White Male 1970 02-11-2023
Locke, Ruben Fed-IL (Northern) 1998 2000 Drug Possession or Sale Not Sentenced 0 35 Black Male 1998 08-29-2011
Olsen, Roger Minnesota Houston 2006 2008 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 24 years 2 37 White Male 2008 03-08-2016
Payne, Dana Minnesota Hennepin 1989 1991 Other Violent Felony Term of Years 1 year 1 28 White Male 1989 10-25-2014
Rubin, Jerry Fed-IL (Northern) 1970 1973 Other Nonviolent Felony Term of Years 5 years and $5,000 fine 0 30 White Male 1970 02-11-2023
Ruiz-Cortez, Refugio Fed-IL (Northern) 1999 2010 Drug Possession or Sale Term of Years 17 1/2 years 10 29 Hispanic Male 2010 11-06-2012
Sarber, Laurence Minnesota Washington 2004 2009 Drug Possession or Sale Term of Years 13 years and 2 months 6 40 White Male 2009 09-11-2019
Thorvik, Louis Minnesota Chisago 1922 1931 Robbery Life 9 33 White Male 1931