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: 126
Select More Columns:
Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Term of Years Years lost Age Race Sex Year of recantation Date of Release Posting Date
Smith, Larry Jr. Michigan Wayne 1994 2021 Murder Life without parole 26 18 Black Male 2003 2021 03-03-2021
Smith, Steven Illinois Cook 1986 1999 Murder Death 13 37 Black Male 1999 09-03-2012
Spates, Jamie Illinois Winnebago 2018 2021 Murder Not Sentenced 0 41 Black Male 2018 09-08-2021
Stewart, Andrew Jr. Maryland Baltimore City 1984 2019 Murder Life 35 16 Black Male 2019 2019 12-09-2019
Swainson, Andrew Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1989 2020 Murder Life without parole 31 22 Black Male 2007 2020 07-13-2020
Taylor, Andre California Los Angeles 1990 1998 Attempted Murder Term of Years 28 to life 4 Black Male 1994 10-06-2012
Taylor, Daniel Illinois Cook 1995 2013 Murder Life without parole 18 17 Black Male 2001 2013 06-28-2013
Thomas, Sheldon New York Kings 2006 2023 Murder Term of Years 25 to life 16 17 Black Male 2023 04-10-2023
Tillman, Michael Illinois Cook 1986 2010 Murder Life 23 20 Black Male 2010 08-29-2011
Tyler, Sean Illinois Cook 1995 2021 Murder Term of Years 58 years 23 17 Black Male 2008 2019 10-12-2021
Vaile, Darnai Washington Spokane 2020 2023 Other Nonviolent Misdemeanor Probation 0 23 Black Male 2020 08-21-2023
Velasquez, Neftali Pennsylvania Philadelphia 2016 2023 Murder Life without parole 7 27 Black Male 2023 08-14-2023
Walker, Jabar New York New York 1998 2023 Murder Term of Years 50 to Life 26 22 Black Male 1998 2023 12-04-2023
Watkins, Joyce Tennessee Davidson 1988 2022 Murder Life 27 39 Black Female 2015 01-24-2022
Watkins, Ledura Michigan Wayne 1976 2017 Murder Life without parole 41 19 Black Male 1980 2017 06-29-2017
Watkins, Ransom Maryland Baltimore City 1984 2019 Murder Life 35 16 Black Male 2019 2019 12-09-2019
Watson, James Massachusetts Suffolk 1981 2020 Murder Life without parole 39 20 Black Male 2001 2020 11-25-2020
West, Keith Kentucky Jefferson 1995 2019 Murder Life 4 19 Black Male 2019 1998 01-20-2020
Westly, William New York Bronx 1999 2002 Sexual Assault Term of Years 20 to Life 2 47 Black Male 2001 08-29-2011
Williams, Barry California Los Angeles 1986 2021 Murder Death 0 19 Black Male 2001 1986 04-22-2021
Williams, Christopher Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1993 2019 Murder Death 0 29 Black Male 2011 1993 02-03-2020
Williams, Christopher Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1992 2021 Murder Life without parole 29 29 Black Male 2021 02-24-2021
Williams, Jason Texas Swisher 2000 2003 Drug Possession or Sale Term of Years 45 years 3 20 Black Male 2003 05-26-2022
Williams, Terrance Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1985 2020 Murder Term of Years 13 1/2 to 27 years 1 17 Black Male 1986 03-25-2020
Wilson, Jackie Illinois Cook 1983 2020 Murder Life without parole 35 21 Black Male 2018 2018 10-16-2020
Wright, Harold Jr. Washington Pierce 2007 2013 Sexual Assault Term of Years 6 months 0 32 Black Male 2007 09-27-2013