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: 25
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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
Adams, Kenneth Illinois Cook 1978 1996 Murder Term of Years 75 years 18 22 Black Male 1994 1996 08-29-2011
Bouto, Robert Illinois Cook 1996 2018 Murder Term of Years 45 years 19 17 White Male 2004 2015 07-02-2018
Cruz, Rolando Illinois DuPage 1985 1995 Murder Death 11 19 Hispanic Male 1995 1995 08-29-2011
Gauger, Gary Illinois McHenry 1993 1996 Murder Death 3 41 White Male 1996 08-29-2011
Gold-Smith, Robert Illinois Will 2016 2023 Other Violent Felony Term of Years 30 years 4 50 White Male 2019 05-01-2023
Gray, David A. Illinois Madison 1978 1999 Attempted Murder Term of Years 60 years 20 25 Black Male 1999 08-29-2011
Gray, Paula Illinois Cook 1978 2002 Murder Term of Years 50 years 7 17 Black Female 1994 1985 08-29-2011
Harris, Lee Illinois Cook 1992 2023 Murder Term of Years 90 years 31 34 Black Male 2003 2023 04-08-2023
Hernandez, Alejandro Illinois DuPage 1985 1995 Murder Death 11 19 Hispanic Male 1995 1995 08-29-2011
Iglesias, Geraldo Illinois Cook 1994 2019 Murder Term of Years 35 years 16 24 Hispanic Male 2018 2010 01-30-2019
Jimerson, Verneal Illinois Cook 1985 1996 Murder Death 10 25 Black Male 1994 1996 08-29-2011
Kitchen, Ronald Illinois Cook 1990 2009 Murder Death 19 22 Black Male 2002 2009 08-29-2011
Lane, Lionel Illinois Kane 1995 1995 Murder Term of Years 60 years 0 33 Black Male 1995 08-29-2011
McCullough, Jack Illinois DeKalb 2012 2016 Murder Life 4 18 White Male 2013 2016 05-02-2016
Melock, Robert Illinois Lake 1989 2024 Murder Death 35 22 White Male 2024 01-02-2025
Mendoza, Madeline Illinois Cook 1993 2023 Murder Term of Years 35 years 16 16 Hispanic Female 2017 2009 01-10-2023
Mulero, Marilyn Illinois Cook 1993 2022 Murder Death 27 21 Hispanic Female 2017 2020 08-22-2022
Nelson, Terry Lee Illinois St. Clair 1989 1994 Murder Term of Years 40 years 0 37 White Male 1990 1989 08-29-2011
Rainge, Willie Illinois Cook 1978 1996 Murder Life 18 20 Black Male 1994 1996 08-29-2011
Reeves, Marvin Illinois Cook 1991 2009 Murder Life without parole 18 29 Black Male 2002 2009 08-29-2011
Rivera, Juan Illinois Lake 1993 2012 Murder Life 18 19 Hispanic Male 2012 02-07-2012
Steidl, Gordon Illinois Edgar 1987 2004 Murder Death 17 35 White Male 1988 2004 08-29-2011
Whitlock, Herbert Illinois Edgar 1987 2008 Murder Life 21 39 White Male 1988 2008 08-29-2011
Williams, Dennis Illinois Cook 1978 1996 Murder Death 18 21 Black Male 1994 1996 08-29-2011
Wilson, Jackie Illinois Cook 1983 2020 Murder Life without parole 35 21 Black Male 2018 2018 10-16-2020