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: 23
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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 Any known recanters OM Tags DNA
Bailey, Darryl Tennessee Shelby 1994 2000 Murder Life 6 17 Black Male 2000 03-10-2014 False Confession H, JV
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 PR, WH, NW, WT
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 OF, WH, NW, WT, PJ
Bumpass, Angel Tennessee Hamilton 2019 2023 Murder Life 3 13 Black Female 2022 10-09-2023 Official Misconduct, Inadequate Legal Defense F, H, JV PR, NW
Burgess, Wayne Tennessee Giles 1999 2023 Murder Life 24 34 Black Male 2023 08-16-2023 False Confession, False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct, Inadequate Legal Defense CV, H, IO, NC OF, NW, INT, PJ
Dunn, Charlie Tennessee Davidson 1988 2022 Murder Life 26 43 Black Male 2015 01-24-2022 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct, Inadequate Legal Defense CIU, CV, H, IO, PH, SA PR, WH, NW, PL
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 PR, WH
House, Paul G. Tennessee Union 1986 2009 Murder Death 22 23 White Male 2008 08-29-2011 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence H, SA
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
Jordan, Douglas Jr. Tennessee Blount 2002 2015 Murder Term of Years 23 years 8 27 White Male 2011 03-29-2016 Official Misconduct H OF, WH
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 OF, WH
Marshall, Ronnie Tennessee Sumner 1990 1996 Murder Life 5 28 White Male 1996 08-29-2011 Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct H, P PR, OF, WH, NW, KP, WT
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
McElwrath, John Tennessee Weakley 1903 1915 Murder Death 12 Black Male 1915
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
Sherman, David Tennessee McMinn 1907 1911 Murder Death 3 Black Male 1911
Spurlock, Robert Tennessee Sumner 1990 1996 Murder Life 5 22 White Male 1996 08-29-2011 Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct H PR, OF, WH, NW, KP, WT
Turner, Laronda Tennessee Shelby 2019 2024 Murder Life 5 23 Black Female 2024 04-19-2024 Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct CDC, F, H PR, WH
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
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 PR, NW
Watkins, Joyce Tennessee Davidson 1988 2022 Murder Life 27 39 Black Female 2015 01-24-2022 False or Misleading Forensic Evidence, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct, Inadequate Legal Defense CIU, CV, F, H, IO, SA PR, WH, NW, PL
Webb, Ricky Tennessee Gibson 1978 2024 Murder Life without parole 46 21 Black Male 2023 2024 11-12-2024 Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct CDC, H, IO, JI, SA PR, OF, WH, NW, WT, PJ
Webster, Joseph Tennessee Davidson 2006 2020 Murder Life 15 19 Black Male 2009 2020 11-30-2020 Mistaken Witness ID, Inadequate Legal Defense CIU, H