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: 22
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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
Ballard, Frances Tennessee Shelby 1987 1993 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 5 years 0 54 White Female 1988 03-21-2013 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct CSH, CV, F, NC, SA No PR, OF, CW, WH, NW, KP, WT No
Bargery, Joshua Tennessee Lake 2015 2022 Murder Life without parole 7 20 White Male 2022 02-01-2023 False Confession, False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct H No PR, WH, NW, WT No
Braseel, Adam Tennessee Grundy 2007 2021 Murder Life 11 22 White Male 2018 12-13-2021 Mistaken Witness ID, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct, Inadequate Legal Defense H, P No OF, WH, NW, WT, PJ No
Busby, William Tennessee Lewis 2003 2019 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 20 years 16 28 White Male 2019 12-13-2019 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation CV, NC, SA No No
Forbes, Douglas Tennessee Washington 1975 1980 Sexual Assault Term of Years 50 years 5 34 White Male 1980 Mistaken Witness ID No No
Garrett, Claude Tennessee Davidson 1993 2022 Murder Life without parole 29 35 White Male 2022 06-21-2022 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Official Misconduct A, CIU, H, IO, NC No PR, WH No
Garrett, Paul Shane Tennessee Davidson 2003 2021 Manslaughter Term of Years 15 years 9 26 White Male 2011 09-08-2021 False Confession, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct, Inadequate Legal Defense CIU, H, IO, JI, P, SA No PR, OF, NW, KP, INT, PJ Yes
Harper, James Tennessee Knox 1985 2005 Assault Term of Years 5 years 2 45 White Male 1987 11-14-2017 Mistaken Witness ID, False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct PH No PR, OF, FA, WH, NW, PJ No
House, Paul G. Tennessee Union 1986 2009 Murder Death 22 23 White Male 2008 08-29-2011 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence H, SA No Yes
Housler, David Jr. Tennessee Montgomery 1997 2014 Murder Life without parole 13 19 White Male 2010 12-03-2014 False Confession, Perjury or False Accusation, Inadequate Legal Defense H, JI No No
Hutchison, Leonard Tennessee Knox 1985 2005 Assault Term of Years 25 years 10 39 White Male 1996 11-14-2017 Mistaken Witness ID, False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct No PR, OF, FA, WH, NW, WT, PJ No
Jordan, Douglas Jr. Tennessee Blount 2002 2015 Murder Term of Years 23 years 8 27 White Male 2011 03-29-2016 Official Misconduct H No OF, WH No
Leath, Raynella Dossett Tennessee Knox 2010 2017 Murder Life 6 54 White Female 2016 06-02-2017 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Official Misconduct, Inadequate Legal Defense F, H, NC No OF, WH No
Marshall, Ronnie Tennessee Sumner 1990 1996 Murder Life 5 28 White Male 1996 08-29-2011 Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct H, P No PR, OF, WH, NW, KP, WT No
McCormick, Michael Lee Tennessee Jefferson 1987 2007 Murder Death 16 32 White Male 2003 08-29-2011 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Inadequate Legal Defense H No Yes
Mills, Randall Tennessee Marshall 2000 2014 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 20 years 11 43 White Male 2011 04-08-2014 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Inadequate Legal Defense CV, IO, SA No Yes
Minton, Samuel Scott Tennessee Bradley 1994 2025 Sexual Assault Term of Years 76 years 31 20 White Male 2024 05-01-2025 False Confession, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct CDC, NC, IO, SA No PR, OF, WH, NW, WT Yes
Pack, Phillip Tennessee Campbell 2010 2013 Murder Term of Years 25 years 4 23 White Male 2011 2013 02-25-2014 Perjury or False Accusation CDC, H, NC Yes No
Spurlock, Robert Tennessee Sumner 1990 1996 Murder Life 5 22 White Male 1996 08-29-2011 Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct H No PR, OF, WH, NW, KP, WT No
Vann, Gussie Tennessee McMinn 1994 2011 Murder Death 0 40 White Male 1994 03-13-2012 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Inadequate Legal Defense CV, H, NC, SA No No
Walker, Lon Tennessee Putnam 1997 2012 Murder Term of Years 20 years 15 43 White Male 2011 2012 11-30-2015 Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct, Inadequate Legal Defense H, NC Yes PR, NW No
Worden, George IV Tennessee Sumner 2020 2024 Drug Possession or Sale Term of Years 60 days 0 28 White Male 2020 08-16-2024 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence M, NC No No