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: 6
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Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Years lost Age Race Sex Year of recantation Date of Release Posting Date Contributing Factors Display Case Characteristics Recantation OM Tags DNA
Boyd, Payne West Virginia Mercer 1925 1925 Murder Life 1 Black Male 1925 Mistaken Witness ID
Hurt, Davie West Virginia Mercer 1998 2014 Murder Life 13 17 Black Male 1998 2011 08-24-2014 Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct, Inadequate Legal Defense CDC, H, JV PR, OF, WH, NW, WT
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
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 PR, OF, FA, WH, NW, PJ
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 PR, OF, WH, NW
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 PR, FA, WH, NW, PJ