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
Barnett, Nathaniel West Virginia Cabell 2008 2021 Murder Term of Years 36 years 7 19 White Male 2018 2016 10-25-2021
Barnett, Phillip West Virginia Cabell 2008 2021 Murder Term of Years 40 years 10 22 White Male 2018 2018 10-25-2021
Black, Justin West Virginia Cabell 2008 2021 Murder Term of Years 40 years 10 19 White Male 2018 2018 10-25-2021
Cestoni, Enzo Fed-CA (Northern) 2016 2016 Weapon Possession or Sale Not Sentenced 1 28 Hispanic Male 2016 04-26-2019
Fitzgerald, John Fed-CA (Southern) 2007 2009 Tax Evasion/Fraud Not Sentenced 0 40 White Male 2007 08-29-2011
Gardner, Jimmie West Virginia Kanawha 1990 2016 Sexual Assault Term of Years 33 to life 26 20 Black Male 2016 09-15-2016
Harris, William West Virginia Kanawha 1987 1995 Sexual Assault Term of Years 10 to 20 years 8 17 Black Male 1995 08-29-2011
Hurt, Davie West Virginia Mercer 1998 2014 Murder Life 13 17 Black Male 1998 2011 08-24-2014
Matta Ballesteros, Juan Fed-CA (Central) 1990 2018 Kidnapping Life without parole 0 40 Hispanic Male 1997 1990 04-20-2020
Obagi, Maher Fed-CA (Central) 2015 2022 Fraud Term of Years 6 1/2 years 0 21 Other Male 2015 12-19-2022
Richardson, James E. Jr. West Virginia Kanawha 1989 1999 Murder Life 7 36 White Male 1996 08-29-2011
Sandoval-Gonzalez, Gerardo Fed-CA (Southern) 2009 2012 Immigration Term of Years 7 years 3 51 Hispanic Male 2012 07-15-2012
Thomas, Marvin West Virginia Wood 1987 1993 Murder Life 6 20 White Male 1993 04-10-2013
Woodall, Glen West Virginia Cabell 1987 1992 Sexual Assault Life 4 28 White Male 1991 08-29-2011