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: 8
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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 Contributing Factors Display Case Characteristics Recantation OM Tags DNA
Choy, Frances Massachusetts Plymouth 2011 2020 Murder Life without parole 9 17 Asian Female 2020 10-11-2020 False Confession, False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct, Inadequate Legal Defense A, CDC, F, H, IO, JV No PR, OF, WH, NW, KP, WT, PJ, PL No
Karage, Entre Nax Texas Dallas 1997 2005 Murder Life 8 21 Asian Male 2005 08-29-2011 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence CV, H No Yes
Lee, Ah Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1988 2004 Murder Life 16 20 Asian Male 2004 10-25-2014 Mistaken Witness ID, Official Misconduct H No OF, WH, NW, PJ No
Lee, Chol Soo California San Francisco 1974 1982 Murder Life 8 21 Asian Male 1982 Mistaken Witness ID, Official Misconduct No No
Lee, Han Tak Pennsylvania Monroe 1990 2015 Murder Life without parole 24 54 Asian Male 2014 12-28-2015 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Inadequate Legal Defense A, H, NC No No
Ngov, Matthew California Los Angeles 2013 2019 Murder Term of Years 57 to life 6 20 Asian Male 2019 08-30-2019 Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct, Inadequate Legal Defense, False or Misleading Forensic Evidence H No PR, OF, WH, NW, KP, PJ, PL No
Nguyen, Hoc New York New York 1987 1993 Murder Term of Years 15 to Life 1 Asian Male 1989 09-20-2021 Perjury or False Accusation H No No
Wong, David New York Clinton 1987 2004 Murder Term of Years 25 to Life 17 23 Asian Male 2001 2004 08-29-2011 Mistaken Witness ID, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct, Inadequate Legal Defense H, JI Yes PR, WH No