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: 32
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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
Abbitt, Joseph North Carolina Forsyth 1995 2009 Child Sex Abuse Life 14 31 Black Male 2009 09-01-2011
Alford, John North Carolina Mecklenburg 1975 1976 Murder Death 1 22 Black Male 1976 07-13-2022
Benton, John North Carolina Mecklenburg 1942 1943 Assault Term of Years 15 years 1 15 Black Male 1943 04-01-2021
Blackmon, James North Carolina Wake 1988 2019 Murder Life 32 26 Black Male 2019 09-03-2019
Bridgeman, Walter North Carolina Davidson 1932 1935 Robbery Term of Years 15 years 2 20 White Male 1935
Brown, Keith North Carolina Wilson 1993 1999 Sexual Assault Term of Years 35 years 4 25 Black Male 1997 08-29-2011
Brown, Knolly Jr. North Carolina Edgecomb 2009 2016 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 5 to 6 3/4 years 4 37 Black Male 2013 10-26-2016
Cotton, Ronald North Carolina Alamance 1985 1995 Sexual Assault Life 10 22 Black Male 1995 08-29-2011
Dail, Dwayne Allen North Carolina Wayne 1989 2007 Child Sex Abuse Life 18 17 White Male 2007 08-29-2011
Daniels, Erick North Carolina Durham 2001 2008 Robbery Term of Years 10 to 14 years 7 14 Black Male 2008 08-29-2011
Engberg-Lehmer, Teresa Iowa Pottawattamie 1997 1998 Manslaughter Term of Years 15 years 1 24 White Female 1998 07-29-2012
Esse, Eric Iowa Cerro Gordo 2003 2006 Murder Life without parole 3 33 White Male 2006 07-18-2013
Fowler, Victor North Carolina Davidson 1932 1935 Robbery Term of Years 15 years 2 19 White Male 1935
Grimes, Willie North Carolina Catawba 1988 2012 Sexual Assault Life 24 41 Black Male 2012 10-08-2012
Hall, James Iowa Johnson 1974 1984 Murder Term of Years 50 years 11 Black Male 1985
Hefner, Cecil North Carolina Burke 1920 1921 Murder Term of Years 15 years 0 White Male 1921
Horne, Joe North Carolina Davidson 1932 1935 Robbery Term of Years 15 years 2 20 White Male 1935
Imafidon, Julius Iowa Polk 2000 2002 Other Nonviolent Misdemeanor Probation 0 34 Black Male 2000 04-17-2019
Jean, Lesly North Carolina Onslow 1982 1991 Sexual Assault Life 9 22 Black Male 1991 08-29-2011
Leckington, Mark Iowa Scott 2004 2008 Other Nonviolent Felony Term of Years 20 years 1 38 White Male 2005 11-07-2022
Lehmer, Joel Iowa Pottawattamie 1997 1998 Manslaughter Term of Years 15 years 1 32 White Male 1998 07-29-2012
Massey, Shawn Giovanni North Carolina Mecklenburg 1999 2010 Kidnapping Term of Years 11 1/2 to 15 1/4 years 11 25 Black Male 2010 08-29-2011
Moreno, Noe North Carolina Mecklenburg 2007 2012 Murder Term of Years 18 to 22 years 5 26 Hispanic Male 2012 09-03-2012
Palmer, Sylvian North Carolina Davidson 1932 1935 Robbery Term of Years 15 years 2 20 White Male 1935
Rhoades, Nick Iowa Black Hawk 2009 2014 Other Violent Felony Term of Years 25 years 0 33 White Male 2009 10-09-2014
Shaw, Willie Jr. North Carolina Mecklenburg 2016 2021 Other Violent Felony Term of Years 8 2/3 to 11 5/12 5 43 Black Male 2019 2021 02-16-2021
Shelton, Horace North Carolina Buncombe 2012 2014 Forgery Term of Years 10 7/12 to 13 1/2 years 2 51 Black Male 2014 11-28-2016
Shreve, Thomas North Carolina Onslow 1988 1989 Threats Probation 0 31 White Male 1988 04-14-2015
Smith, Tammy Iowa Humboldt 2007 2011 Child Abuse Term of Years 10 years 4 32 White Female 2011 01-23-2014
Snipes, Steven North Carolina Lee 1998 2003 Robbery Term of Years 7 years and 6 months 5 35 Black Male 2003 08-29-2011
Waters, Leo North Carolina Onslow 1982 2003 Sexual Assault Life 21 30 White Male 2003 08-29-2011
Womble, Willie North Carolina Granville 1976 2014 Murder Term of Years 80 years 38 21 Black Male 2014 10-17-2014