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: 16
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Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Years lost Age Race Sex Year of recantation Date of Release Posting Date
Abbott, Stearns Kendall Massachusetts Middlesex 1880 1911 Murder Death 31 40 White Male 1911
Bennett, Joseph Massachusetts Suffolk 1998 2024 Murder Life without parole 17 22 Black Male 2006 2015 12-17-2024
Cero, Gangi Massachusetts Suffolk 1927 1930 Murder Death 3 21 White Male 1930
Chance, John H. Massachusetts Suffolk 1899 1911 Murder Life 12 31 Don't Know Male 1911
Cifizzari, Gary Massachusetts Worcester 1984 2019 Murder Life without parole 35 23 White Male 2019 2019 01-08-2020
Earle, Margaret Massachusetts Plymouth 2005 2010 Murder Life 5 21 White Female 2010 02-23-2014
Ellison, Ella Mae Massachusetts Suffolk 1974 1978 Murder Life 4 27 Black Female 1978
Grace, Frank Parky Massachusetts Bristol 1974 1988 Murder Life 11 29 Black Male 1985
Johnson, Lawyer Massachusetts Suffolk 1972 1982 Murder Death 10 20 Black Male 1982
Leaster, Bobby Joe Massachusetts Suffolk 1971 1986 Murder Life 16 21 Black Male 1986
Passley, Marlon Massachusetts Suffolk 1996 2000 Murder Life 3 23 Black Male 1999 08-29-2011
Qualls, Ronnie Massachusetts Suffolk 1993 2020 Murder Life 26 20 Black Male 2019 09-21-2020
Reissfelder, George Massachusetts Suffolk 1967 1982 Murder Life 10 26 White Male 1977
Santos, Louis Massachusetts Suffolk 1985 1990 Murder Life 3 20 Black Male 1988 08-29-2011
Silva-Santiago, Jesus Massachusetts Plymouth 2006 2010 Murder Life without parole 4 28 Hispanic Male 2010 10-06-2013
Sullivan, Michael Massachusetts Middlesex 1987 2019 Murder Life without parole 26 25 White Male 2013 03-07-2019