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: 11
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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
Ballinger, Gene Curtis New Mexico Grant 1981 1993 Murder Term of Years 9 years 9 45 White Male 1990 12-12-2012 Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct CDC, H No PR, WH No
Earnest, Ralph New Mexico Eddy 1983 2006 Murder Life 23 34 White Male 2006 2006 10-04-2018 Perjury or False Accusation CDC, H Yes No
Gladish, Thomas New Mexico Bernalillo 1974 1975 Murder Death 2 22 White Male 1975 Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct No No
Greer, Richard New Mexico Bernalillo 1974 1975 Murder Death 2 29 White Male 1975 Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct No No
Keine, Ronald New Mexico Bernalillo 1974 1975 Murder Death 2 26 White Male 1975 Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct No No
Knee, Eric New Mexico Santa Fe 2017 2020 Child Sex Abuse Not Sentenced 2 69 White Male 2018 03-23-2020 Perjury or False Accusation CV, NC, SA No No
McClaugherty, Charles New Mexico Bernalillo 2001 2008 Murder Life 2 18 White Male 2003 07-02-2014 Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct CDC, CV, H No PR, WH, NW, KP, WT, PL No
McDowell, John Jack New Mexico Sandoval 2014 2019 Murder Term of Years 30 to Life 5 54 White Male 2019 02-10-2020 Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct, Inadequate Legal Defense CDC, H No PR, NW No
Mercer, Ellen New Mexico Dona Ana 2002 2006 Fraud Probation 0 46 White Female 2002 11-11-2019 F, NC No No
Smith, Clarence Jr. New Mexico Bernalillo 1974 1975 Murder Death 2 29 White Male 1975 Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct No No
Smith, William New Mexico Bernalillo 1978 1996 Murder Life 18 24 White Male 1983 1996 12-04-2012 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct H Yes PR, OF, WH No