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
Anderson, David Pennsylvania Venango 2001 2011 Sexual Assault Term of Years 5 to 15 years 0 34 White Male 2001 11-24-2014
Bilger, George Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1938 1940 Murder Death 2 19 White Male 1940 10-25-2021
Daidone, Albert Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1984 1999 Murder Life without parole 15 38 White Male 1999 11-17-2014
Ferber, Neil Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1982 1986 Murder Death 4 34 White Male 1986
Gainer, Donald Pennsylvania Allegheny 1985 1992 Arson Term of Years 22 to 45 years 8 31 White Male 1985 1992 10-14-2014
Godesky, Scott Pennsylvania Allegheny 1997 2019 Murder Life without parole 23 24 White Male 2008 2019 09-03-2019
Handley, Zachary Pennsylvania Northampton 2008 2015 Arson Term of Years 6 to 12 months 1 13 White Male 2009 05-15-2015
Johnson, Antione Pennsylvania Philadelphia 2019 2020 Drug Possession or Sale Not Sentenced 0 32 Black Male 2019 03-27-2020
Kirkwood, Justin Pennsylvania Lawrence 2003 2006 Robbery Term of Years 3 1/2 to 7 years 2 22 White Male 2005 08-29-2011
Martorano, Raymond Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1984 1999 Murder Life without parole 15 53 White Male 1999 11-17-2014
Montalvo, Noel Pennsylvania York 2003 2023 Murder Death 21 33 Hispanic Male 2023 01-18-2024
Rivera, Miguel Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1974 1987 Murder Life 8 25 Hispanic Male 1983
Sheeler, Rudolph Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1939 1951 Murder Life 12 23 White Male 1951
Turner, Aaron Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1946 1957 Murder Death 11 26 Black Male 1957 11-26-2019
Whitaker, Mark Pennsylvania Philadelphia 2003 2019 Murder Life without parole 16 29 Black Male 2019 06-12-2019
Wilkinson, Robert Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1976 1977 Murder Not Sentenced 1 26 White Male 1977
Wilson, Harold C. Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1989 2005 Murder Death 16 30 Black Male 2005 08-29-2011