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: 120
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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
Sullivan, Melvin Illinois Cook 1979 1987 Murder Term of Years 20 years 7 27 White Male 1987 12-07-2020
Taylor, Daniel Illinois Cook 1995 2013 Murder Life without parole 18 17 Black Male 2001 2013 06-28-2013
Taylor, Lavell Illinois Cook 1998 2015 Murder Term of Years 35 years 15 19 Black Male 2015 2013 12-17-2021
Thompson, Patrick Illinois Champaign 2006 2008 Sexual Assault Not Sentenced 0 35 Black Male 2006 07-29-2012
Tillman, Michael Illinois Cook 1986 2010 Murder Life 23 20 Black Male 2010 08-29-2011
Torres, Cesar Illinois Cook 2018 2023 Murder Term of Years 71 years 4 22 Hispanic Male 2022 12-13-2024
Tyler, Sean Illinois Cook 1995 2021 Murder Term of Years 58 years 23 17 Black Male 2008 2019 10-12-2021
Velez, John Illinois Cook 2002 2017 Murder Term of Years 55 years 15 18 Hispanic Male 2001 2017 12-22-2017
Vera, Francisco Illinois Cook 1992 1998 Assault Term of Years 17 years 3 29 Hispanic Male 1996 10-14-2012
Walker, Danny Illinois DuPage 2012 2018 Fraud Term of Years 6 months 1 47 Black Male 2012 04-20-2018
Walker, Xavier Illinois Cook 2004 2019 Murder Term of Years 35 years 15 19 Black Male 2019 01-02-2020
Whitlock, Herbert Illinois Edgar 1987 2008 Murder Life 21 39 White Male 1988 2008 08-29-2011
Williams, Cordell Illinois Cook 1995 2022 Murder Life without parole 27 19 Black Male 2022 12-20-2022
Williams, Dennis Illinois Cook 1978 1996 Murder Death 18 21 Black Male 1994 1996 08-29-2011
Williams, Emmaline Illinois Cook 1986 1995 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 12 years 8 43 Black Female 1994 07-03-2014
Williams, Herman Illinois Lake 1994 2022 Murder Life without parole 29 29 White Male 2022 09-26-2022
Willis, Deon Illinois Cook 2008 2018 Drug Possession or Sale Term of Years 2 Years 1 33 Black Male 2010 12-03-2018
Woidtke, Rodney Illinois St. Clair 1989 2001 Murder Term of Years 45 years 12 27 White Male 2001 08-29-2011
Wright, David Illinois Cook 1996 2023 Murder Life without parole 26 17 Black Male 2017 2022 04-20-2023
Yanez, Jose Illinois Rock Island 2020 2024 Murder Term of Years 15 years 2 28 Hispanic Male 2022 12-05-2024