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
Anderson, David Pennsylvania Venango 2001 2011 Sexual Assault Term of Years 5 to 15 years 0 34 White Male 2001 11-24-2014
Dubbs, Charles T. Pennsylvania Lancaster 2002 2007 Sexual Assault Term of Years 12 to 40 years 5 36 White Male 2007 08-29-2011
Fritz, Judith Pennsylvania Lehigh 1995 1997 Manslaughter Term of Years 3 years 0 35 White Female 1997 1995 05-29-2013
Gainer, Donald Pennsylvania Allegheny 1985 1992 Arson Term of Years 22 to 45 years 8 31 White Male 1985 1992 10-14-2014
Godschalk, Bruce Pennsylvania Montgomery 1987 2002 Sexual Assault Term of Years 10 to 20 years 15 25 White Male 2002 08-29-2011
Handley, Zachary Pennsylvania Northampton 2008 2015 Arson Term of Years 6 to 12 months 1 13 White Male 2009 05-15-2015
Hintz, Marcia Pennsylvania Philadelphia 2009 2014 Drug Possession or Sale Term of Years 5 to 10 years 4 44 White Female 2013 04-08-2021
Hopkins, Gregory Pennsylvania Beaver 2013 2022 Murder Term of Years 8 to 16 years 7 33 White Male 2020 05-26-2022
Jones, Hayden Pennsylvania Allegheny 1949 1968 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 15 to 30 years 19 25 White Male 1968
Kauffman, Carl Joe Jr. Pennsylvania Bedford 2001 2004 Robbery Term of Years 5 to 15 years 3 21 White Male 2002 2004 08-30-2013
Kelly, William M. Jr. Pennsylvania Dauphin 1990 1993 Murder Term of Years 10 to 20 years 3 28 White Male 1992 1993 08-29-2011
Kirkwood, Justin Pennsylvania Lawrence 2003 2006 Robbery Term of Years 3 1/2 to 7 years 2 22 White Male 2005 08-29-2011
Pacek, Jerry Pennsylvania Allegheny 1959 1991 Murder Term of Years 10 to 20 years 10 13 White Male 1968 08-29-2011
Purtell, Daniel Pennsylvania Centre 2002 2004 Sexual Assault Term of Years 3 1/2 to 6 years 2 21 White Male 2004 08-29-2011
Schaaf, David Pennsylvania Bucks 2003 2006 Attempted Murder Term of Years 14 to 28 years 3 40 White Male 2006 07-11-2013
Stonehouse, Carol Pennsylvania Allegheny 1983 1990 Murder Term of Years 7 to 14 years 7 41 White Female 1990 03-11-2013
Weimer, Crystal Pennsylvania Fayette 2006 2016 Murder Term of Years 15 to 30 years 9 23 White Female 2015 2015 06-29-2016