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 Date of Release Posting Date
Artis, John New Jersey Passaic 1967 1988 Murder Term of Years 15 years to life 15 19 Black Male 1981 08-04-2020
Carter, Rubin New Jersey Passaic 1967 1988 Murder Term of Years 30 years to life 19 29 Black Male 1986 08-04-2020
de los Santos, Jorge New Jersey Essex 1975 1983 Murder Life 8 30 Hispanic Male 1983
Forrest, McKinley New Jersey Mercer 1948 1951 Murder Death 3 35 Black Male 1951
Gentry, Jacob New Jersey Sussex 2011 2016 Manslaughter Term of Years 30 years 5 27 White Male 2016 11-21-2016
McKenzie, John New Jersey Mercer 1948 1951 Murder Death 3 24 Black Male 1951
Merritt, George New Jersey Union 1968 1980 Murder Life 11 24 Black Male 1980
Mervilus, Emmanuel New Jersey Union 2008 2013 Robbery Term of Years 11 years 3 22 Black Male 2011 05-03-2018
Michaels, Margaret Kelly New Jersey Essex 1988 1994 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 47 years 5 22 White Female 1993 02-21-2012
Oladapo, Ayodeji New Jersey Union 2004 2009 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 18 years 5 27 Black Male 2009 05-16-2018
Ortiz, Sandra New Jersey Passaic 2001 2003 Murder Not Sentenced 0 30 Hispanic Female 2001 06-25-2013
Puskas, Timothy New Jersey Middlesex 2017 2024 Murder Term of Years 40 years 4 38 White Male 2021 04-02-2024
Ross, Vincent New Jersey Essex 1989 1992 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 15 years 2 21 Black Male 1991 04-08-2021
Simmons, Lawrence New Jersey Passaic 1977 2000 Murder Life 23 19 Black Male 2000 06-07-2013
Spears, Darryl New Jersey Mercer 2014 2018 Weapon Possession or Sale Term of Years 15 years 2 23 Black Male 2017 03-20-2018
Thorpe, James New Jersey Mercer 1948 1951 Murder Death 3 24 Black Male 1951
Wilson, Horace New Jersey Mercer 1948 1951 Murder Death 3 37 Black Male 1951