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 ALL of those words. So adding more search terms will narrow the search. Terms with fewer than three characters (e.g., "IQ") are ignored in searches. Searches can be further narrowed by using "quotation marks" to search for exact phrases. Keywords both inside and outside quotation marks can be combined. And, truncated words can be entered: the term "discrim" will return all variants on that root. No "wildcards," such as "*" are necessary for truncation.

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.

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Total records: 17
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Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Years lost Age Race Sex Posting Date
Beals, Brian Illinois Cook 1990 2023 Murder 80 years 33.9 22 Black Male 01-03-2024
Bradford, Marcellius Illinois Cook 1988 2001 Kidnapping 12 years 5.8 17 Black Male 08-29-2011
Cruz, Rolando Illinois DuPage 1985 1995 Murder Death 10.7 19 Hispanic Male 08-29-2011
Dotson, Gary Illinois Cook 1979 1989 Sexual Assault 25 to 50 years 6.0 20 White Male 08-29-2011
Gillard, Larry Illinois Cook 1982 2009 Sexual Assault 24 years 27.3 22 Black Male 08-29-2011
Hernandez, Alejandro Illinois DuPage 1985 1995 Murder Death 10.7 19 Hispanic Male 08-29-2011
Holland, Dana Illinois Cook 1997 2003 Sexual Assault 90 years 0 25 Black Male 08-29-2011
Miller, Jerry Illinois Cook 1982 2007 Sexual Assault 45 years 23.5 23 Black Male 08-29-2011
Ollins, Calvin Illinois Cook 1988 2001 Murder Life without parole 13.8 14 Black Male 08-29-2011
Ollins, Larry Illinois Cook 1988 2001 Murder Life 13.5 16 Black Male 08-29-2011
Pendleton, Marlon Illinois Cook 1996 2006 Sexual Assault 20 years 10.9 35 Black Male 08-29-2011
Reynolds, Donald Illinois Cook 1988 1997 Sexual Assault 69 years 9.6 20 Black Male 08-29-2011
Rollins, Lafonso Illinois Cook 1994 2004 Sexual Assault 75 years 10.4 17 Black Male 08-29-2011
Saunders, Omar Illinois Cook 1988 2001 Murder Life without parole 13.6 18 Black Male 08-29-2011
Starks, Bennie Illinois Lake 1986 2013 Sexual Assault 60 years 20.3 26 Black Male 01-07-2013
Wardell, Billy Illinois Cook 1988 1997 Sexual Assault 69 years 9.6 21 Black Male 08-29-2011
Willis, John Illinois Cook 1993 1999 Sexual Assault Life 6.0 42 Black Male 08-29-2011