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: 16
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Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Years lost Age Race Sex Posting Date
Ballard, Frances Tennessee Shelby 1987 1993 Child Sex Abuse 5 years 0.2 54 White Female 03-21-2013
Bargery, Joshua Tennessee Lake 2015 2022 Murder Life without parole 7.0 20 White Male 02-01-2023
Burgess, Wayne Tennessee Giles 1999 2023 Murder Life 24.5 34 Black Male 08-16-2023
Busby, William Tennessee Lewis 2003 2019 Child Sex Abuse 20 years 15.6 28 White Male 12-13-2019
Dunn, Charlie Tennessee Davidson 1988 2022 Murder Life 26.4 43 Black Male 01-24-2022
Garrett, Claude Tennessee Davidson 1993 2022 Murder Life without parole 28.7 35 White Male 06-21-2022
Gatlin, Ahmad Tennessee Knox 2023 2025 Attempted Murder 31 years 1.5 16 Black Male 06-18-2025
Harper, James Tennessee Knox 1985 2005 Assault 5 years 2.2 45 White Male 11-14-2017
House, Paul G. Tennessee Union 1986 2009 Murder Death 22.4 23 White Male 08-29-2011
Hutchison, Leonard Tennessee Knox 1985 2005 Assault 25 years 10.5 39 White Male 11-14-2017
Leath, Raynella Dossett Tennessee Knox 2010 2017 Murder Life 6.3 54 White Female 06-02-2017
McCormick, Michael Lee Tennessee Jefferson 1987 2007 Murder Death 16.0 32 White Male 08-29-2011
Mills, Randall Tennessee Marshall 2000 2014 Child Sex Abuse 20 years 11.3 43 White Male 04-08-2014
Vann, Gussie Tennessee McMinn 1994 2011 Murder Death 0 40 White Male 03-13-2012
Watkins, Joyce Tennessee Davidson 1988 2022 Murder Life 27.2 39 Black Female 01-24-2022
Worden, George IV Tennessee Sumner 2020 2024 Drug Possession or Sale 60 days 0.2 28 White Male 08-16-2024