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: 13
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 Contributing Factors Display Case Characteristics Recantation OM Tags DNA
Bear, Johnny Tall Oklahoma Oklahoma 1992 2018 Murder Life without parole 26 34 Native American Male 2018 06-14-2018 Mistaken Witness ID, False or Misleading Forensic Evidence H, IO No Yes
Croy, Norma Jean California Siskiyou 1979 1997 Murder Life 18 24 Native American Female 1997 01-27-2012 Inadequate Legal Defense F, H No No
Croy, Patrick California Siskiyou 1979 2004 Murder Death 11 23 Native American Male 1990 08-29-2011 Inadequate Legal Defense H No No
Frese, George Alaska Fairbanks 1999 2015 Murder Term of Years 40 years 17 20 Native American Male 2000 2015 12-24-2015 Mistaken Witness ID, False Confession, False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct CDC, CV, H, JI, IO, SA Yes PR, OF, WH, NW, KP, PJ, PL No
Hill, LaVone Michigan Wayne 2002 2024 Murder Life without parole 22 24 Native American Male 2024 11-01-2024 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct, Inadequate Legal Defense CIU, H, IO No PR, OF, WH, NW, WT, PJ No
Kwil, Richard Illinois Cook 2000 2023 Murder Term of Years 30 years 23 19 Native American Male 2011 2023 04-24-2023 False Confession, False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct CDC, H, IO Yes PR, OF, WH, NW, WT, INT, PJ No
Murphy, Michelle Oklahoma Tulsa 1995 2014 Murder Life without parole 19 17 Native American Female 2014 09-20-2014 False Confession, False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct, Inadequate Legal Defense CV, F, H, IO, JV No PR, OF, FA, WH, NW, INT, PJ, PL Yes
Pease, Kevin Alaska Fairbanks 1999 2015 Murder Term of Years 60 years 16 19 Native American Male 2000 2015 12-24-2015 Mistaken Witness ID, False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct CDC, CV, H, JI, IO, SA Yes PR, OF, WH, NW, KP, PJ, PL No
Reyos, James Texas Ector 1983 2023 Murder Term of Years 38 years 23 25 Native American Male 2006 11-29-2023 Mistaken Witness ID, False Confession, Perjury or False Accusation H, IO No No
Roberts, Marvin Alaska Fairbanks 1999 2015 Murder Term of Years 33 years 16 19 Native American Male 2000 2015 12-24-2015 Mistaken Witness ID, False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct CDC, CV, H, JI, IO, SA Yes PR, OF, WH, NW, KP, PJ, PL No
Tidwell, Charner Fed-OK U.S. Territorial Court 1899 1922 Murder Life 23 17 Native American Male 1922 Perjury or False Accusation No No
Vent, Eugene Alaska Fairbanks 1999 2015 Murder Term of Years 38 years 16 17 Native American Male 2000 2015 12-24-2015 Mistaken Witness ID, False Confession, False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct CDC, CV, H, JI, IO, SA, JV Yes PR, OF, WH, NW, KP, PJ, PL No
Wilber, Danny Wisconsin Milwaukee 2005 2022 Murder Life 17 24 Native American Male 2021 07-04-2022 Inadequate Legal Defense H No No