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: 133
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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
Shaw, Anthony Illinois Cook 2012 2018 Robbery Term of Years 6 years 2 29 Black Male 2015 04-24-2019
Simon, Alstory Illinois Cook 1999 2014 Murder Term of Years 37 years 15 32 Black Male 2005 2014 10-31-2014
Smith, Adam Illinois Macon 2016 2020 Threats Term of Years 10 years 4 32 White Male 2019 12-17-2021
Smith, Kenneth Illinois McHenry 2003 2021 Murder Term of Years 67 years 18 25 White Male 2021 08-19-2021
Smith, Steven Illinois Cook 1986 1999 Murder Death 13 37 Black Male 1999 09-03-2012
Soto, Oscar Illinois Cook 1999 2024 Attempted Murder Term of Years 6 years 1 25 Hispanic Male 2000 09-15-2024
Spates, Jamie Illinois Winnebago 2018 2021 Murder Not Sentenced 0 41 Black Male 2018 09-08-2021
Starks, Bennie Illinois Lake 1986 2013 Sexual Assault Term of Years 60 years 20 26 Black Male 2006 01-07-2013
Styles, Larod Illinois Cook 1998 2017 Murder Life without parole 19 16 Black Male 2016 03-01-2017
Sullivan, Melvin Illinois Cook 1979 1987 Murder Term of Years 20 years 7 27 White Male 1987 12-07-2020
Swift, Terrill Illinois Cook 1998 2012 Murder Term of Years 36 years 14 17 Black Male 2011 01-27-2012
Synon, Michael J. Illinois Cook 1900 1901 Murder Death 1 55 White Male 1901
Taylor, Lavell Illinois Cook 1998 2015 Murder Term of Years 35 years 15 19 Black Male 2015 2013 12-17-2021
Taylor, Patrick Illinois Cook 2011 2023 Murder Life 12 37 Black Male DK 2023 10-30-2023
Thompson, Franklin Illinois Will 1997 2003 Murder Term of Years 24 years 5 45 Black Male 2003 08-29-2011
Thompson, Patrick Illinois Champaign 2006 2008 Sexual Assault Not Sentenced 0 35 Black Male 2006 07-29-2012
Tillis, Darby Illinois Cook 1979 1987 Murder Death 7 36 Black Male 1987
Varela, Ignacio Illinois Cook 1982 1991 Murder Life without parole 8 42 Hispanic Male 1991 08-29-2011
Varela, Joaquin Illinois Cook 1982 1991 Murder Life without parole 8 22 Hispanic Male 1991 08-29-2011
Vera, Francisco Illinois Cook 1992 1998 Assault Term of Years 17 years 3 29 Hispanic Male 1996 10-14-2012
Walden, Oscar Jr. Illinois Cook 1952 1978 Sexual Assault Term of Years 75 years 13 20 Black Male 1965 03-30-2020
Ward, Madeleine Illinois DuPage 2006 2008 Theft Term of Years 6 years and 7 months 2 52 White Female 2008 04-05-2013
Wardell, Billy Illinois Cook 1988 1997 Sexual Assault Term of Years 69 years 10 21 Black Male 1997 08-29-2011
Ware, Robert Illinois Woodford 2017 2022 Assault Term of Years 4 years 3 40 Black Male 2021 05-31-2023
Washington-Riley, Alexander Illinois Cook 2014 2019 Drug Possession or Sale Probation 0 20 Black Male 2014 03-13-2020
Williams, Darnell Illinois Cook 2017 2020 Other Violent Misdemeanor Probation 0 36 Black Male 2017 2017 06-28-2024
Williams, Demarko Illinois Cook 2018 2023 Other Nonviolent Felony Term of Years 10 years 5 38 Black Male 2023 08-13-2024
Williams, Robert Illinois Kankakee 2017 2021 Assault Term of Years 9 years 3 28 Black Male 2020 12-10-2021
Willing, Rusty Illinois Adams 2016 2020 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 30 years 2 34 White Male 2018 06-23-2020
Willis, John Illinois Cook 1993 1999 Sexual Assault Life 6 42 Black Male 1999 08-29-2011
Woidtke, Rodney Illinois St. Clair 1989 2001 Murder Term of Years 45 years 12 27 White Male 2001 08-29-2011
Yanez, Jose Illinois Rock Island 2020 2024 Murder Term of Years 15 years 2 28 Hispanic Male 2022 12-05-2024
Zajicek, Herman Illinois Cook 1907 1917 Murder Death 9 39 White Male 1917