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: 21
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Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Years lost Age Race Sex Posting Date
Anderson, Robert Michigan Kent 1970 1973 Theft 4 years 2.1 Black Male 03-04-2021
Arroyo, Miguel New York Kings 1965 1966 Manslaughter Not Sentenced 1.2 42 Hispanic Male 03-13-2018
Brown, Bradford District of Columbia 1975 1979 Murder 18 years to life 3.6 27 Black Male 03-13-2018
Burt, Lavale Illinois Cook 1986 1986 Murder Not Sentenced 0.1 19 Black Male 03-13-2018
Butler, Louise Alabama Lowndes 1928 1928 Murder Life 0.2 Black Female 03-13-2018
Carter, Nathaniel New York Queens 1982 1984 Murder 25 years to life 1.6 30 Black Male 03-13-2018
Chambers, Leon Mississippi Wilkinson 1970 1973 Murder Life 2.4 Black Male 03-13-2018
Evans, Will Illinois Pulaski 1912 1932 Sexual Assault Life 20.3 Black Male 03-13-2018
Freeland, Elverton New York Erie 1973 1977 Murder 20 years to life 3.9 40 Black Male 05-07-2020
Grimaldi, Robert New York Queens 1972 1974 Murder 15 years to life 1.6 39 Don't Know Male 09-15-2020
Harling, Harry Illinois Cook 1973 1976 Manslaughter 3 to 9 years 1.9 31 White Male 04-19-2021
Hebert, Larry Louisiana East Baton Rouge Parish 1987 1987 Sexual Assault Not Sentenced 0.5 29 Black Male 05-18-2020
Hicks, Larry Indiana Lake 1978 1980 Murder Death 2.3 19 Black Male 03-13-2018
Leaster, Bobby Joe Massachusetts Suffolk 1971 1986 Murder Life 15.5 21 Black Male 03-13-2018
Lyons, Ernest Virginia Nansemond County (now known as City of Suffolk) 1909 1912 Murder 18 years 3.2 Black Male 03-13-2018
Sullivan, Donald Jr. Michigan Wayne 1975 1982 Murder Life 6.9 22 Black Male 05-15-2020
Sullivan, Melvin Illinois Cook 1979 1987 Murder 20 years 7.5 27 White Male 12-07-2020
Thrower, Allen Ohio Franklin 1973 1978 Murder Life 5.1 23 Black Male 03-13-2018
Wallace, Robert Georgia Baldwin 1980 1987 Murder Death 7.3 29 Black Male 03-13-2018
Ward, William Alabama Tuscaloosa 1975 1977 Manslaughter 10 years 1.4 21 Black Male 03-13-2018
Yelder, George Alabama Lowndes 1928 1928 Murder Life 0.2 55 Black Male 03-13-2018