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 Years lost Age Race Sex Year of recantation Date of Release Posting Date
Contreras, Marco California Los Angeles 1997 2017 Attempted Murder Life 20 20 Hispanic Male 2017 04-10-2017
Courtney, Uriah California San Diego 2006 2013 Sexual Assault Life 7 25 White Male 2013 06-24-2013
Croy, Norma Jean California Siskiyou 1979 1997 Murder Life 18 24 Native American Female 1997 01-27-2012
Daye, Frederick Renee California San Diego 1984 1994 Sexual Assault Life 10 25 Black Male 1994 08-29-2011
Garvey, Mike California Los Angeles 1928 1930 Murder Life 2 28 White Male 1930
Guillory, Lavont California Los Angeles 1994 2005 Murder Life 11 21 Black Male 2005 02-18-2012
Hall, Gordon R. California Los Angeles 1978 1982 Murder Life 3 16 Hispanic Male 1982
Howard, DeAndre California Los Angeles 2003 2013 Murder Life 10 20 Black Male 2013 12-27-2013
Kamacho, Daniel California Los Angeles 1947 1947 Murder Life 0 Hispanic Male 1947
Lee, Chol Soo California San Francisco 1974 1982 Murder Life 8 21 Asian Male 1982
Liao, Yun Hseng California Los Angeles 2003 2016 Attempted Murder Life 12 44 Asian Male 2015 04-11-2018
McKinney, DeWayne California Orange 1981 2000 Murder Life 19 19 Black Male 1999 2000 08-29-2011
Merrill, Thomas California Orange 1991 1995 Murder Life 4 24 White Male 1995 08-29-2011
Ortiz, Armando Rodriguez California Fresno 2003 2007 Murder Life 0 15 Hispanic Male 2003 08-29-2011
Owens, Aaron California Alameda 1973 1981 Murder Life 8 29 Black Male 1981
Rohan, Phil California Los Angeles 1928 1930 Murder Life 2 19 White Male 1930
Simmons, Tommy III California Los Angeles 1998 2003 Murder Life 5 35 Black Male 2003 01-25-2014
Sommer, Cynthia California San Diego 2007 2008 Murder Life 1 28 White Female 2008 08-29-2011
Vanderhorst, Zachary California San Francisco 1974 2021 Sexual Assault Life 0 19 Black Male 1974 11-08-2021