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
Banks, Medell Alabama Choctaw 2001 2003 Manslaughter Term of Years 15 years 2 27 Black Male 2002 2003 08-29-2011
Beamon, Melvin Todd Alabama Montgomery 1989 1990 Murder Term of Years 25 years 0 24 Black Male 1989 1989 08-29-2011
Butler, Louise Alabama Lowndes 1928 1928 Murder Life 0 Black Female 1928
Cook, Quinton Alabama Jefferson 1993 2022 Sexual Assault Term of Years 20 years 21 20 Black Male 2014 01-06-2023
Ellis, Andre Alabama Pike 2013 2014 Sexual Assault Term of Years 85 years 2 35 Black Male 2014 12-10-2014
Embry, Anthony Alabama Jefferson 1993 1997 Murder Term of Years 20 years 4 23 Black Male 1997 10-24-2013
Gaines, Freddie Lee Alabama Jefferson 1974 1991 Murder Term of Years 30 years 11 22 Black Male 1985 08-29-2011
Grimes, Don Alabama Henry 1987 1996 Robbery Life without parole 9 30 Black Male 1996 10-03-2018
Hinton, Anthony Alabama Jefferson 1986 2015 Murder Death 29 29 Black Male 2015 04-09-2015
Jones, Lydia Diane Alabama Jefferson 2000 2006 Drug Possession or Sale Life without parole 6 40 Black Female 2006 08-24-2014
McMillian, Walter Alabama Monroe 1988 1993 Murder Death 5 45 Black Male 1991 1993 08-29-2011
Meadows, Frank Jr. Alabama Jefferson 1993 2022 Sexual Assault Term of Years 20 years 21 18 Black Male 2015 01-06-2023
Sealie, Frank Alabama Jefferson 2014 2015 Murder Life without parole 1 23 Black Male 2014 2015 03-17-2015
Staten, Cleo Alabama Marshall 1920 1927 Murder Life 6 Black Male 1927
Ward, William Alabama Tuscaloosa 1975 1977 Manslaughter Term of Years 10 years 1 21 Black Male 1977
Williams, Antonio Alabama Jefferson 2007 2011 Child Sex Abuse Life 4 35 Black Male 2007 2011 11-06-2012
Yelder, George Alabama Lowndes 1928 1928 Murder Life 0 55 Black Male 1928