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: 14
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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
Bailey, Robert Ballard West Virginia Kanawha 1950 1966 Murder Death 11 35 White Male 1960 Mistaken Witness ID No No
Barnett, Nathaniel West Virginia Cabell 2008 2021 Murder Term of Years 36 years 7 19 White Male 2018 2016 10-25-2021 Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct CDC, H, IO, P Yes OF, WH, NW, WT Yes
Barnett, Phillip West Virginia Cabell 2008 2021 Murder Term of Years 40 years 10 22 White Male 2018 2018 10-25-2021 Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct CDC, H, IO, P Yes OF, WH, NW, WT Yes
Beale, Clyde West Virginia Mingo 1926 1949 Murder Death 3 26 White Male 1929 Perjury or False Accusation No No
Beard, Jacob West Virginia Pocahontas 1993 2000 Murder Life without parole 6 34 White Male 1999 07-30-2012 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation CDC, H, JI No No
Black, Justin West Virginia Cabell 2008 2021 Murder Term of Years 40 years 10 19 White Male 2018 2018 10-25-2021 False Confession, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct CDC, H, IO Yes OF, WH, NW, WT Yes
Davis, Dewey West Virginia Kanawha 1987 1995 Sexual Assault Term of Years 10 to 20 years 8 53 White Male 1995 08-29-2011 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct NC, SA No FA, NW, PJ Yes
Davis, Gerald West Virginia Kanawha 1986 1995 Sexual Assault Term of Years 14 to 35 years 9 26 White Male 1995 08-29-2011 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct NC, SA No FA, NW, PJ Yes
Holdren, Larry West Virginia Kanawha 1984 2000 Sexual Assault Term of Years 30 to 60 years 15 27 White Male 1999 08-29-2011 Mistaken Witness ID, False or Misleading Forensic Evidence SA No Yes
Howell, Frank West Virginia Marshall 1929 1931 Robbery Term of Years 15 years 1 28 White Male 1931 Mistaken Witness ID No No
Lively, Charles Jason West Virginia McDowell 2006 2020 Murder Life 14 27 White Male 2020 10-12-2020 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Inadequate Legal Defense A, H, IO, JI, NC No No
Richardson, James E. Jr. West Virginia Kanawha 1989 1999 Murder Life 7 36 White Male 1996 08-29-2011 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct H, SA No PR, OF, FA, WH, NW, PJ Yes
Thomas, Marvin West Virginia Wood 1987 1993 Murder Life 6 20 White Male 1993 04-10-2013 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Official Misconduct H, SA No PR, OF, WH, NW No
Woodall, Glen West Virginia Cabell 1987 1992 Sexual Assault Life 4 28 White Male 1991 08-29-2011 Mistaken Witness ID, False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct SA No PR, FA, WH, NW, PJ Yes