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: 14
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Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Years lost Age Race Sex Posting Date
Banks, Medell Alabama Choctaw 2001 2003 Manslaughter 15 years 1.7 27 Black Male 08-29-2011
Beamon, Melvin Todd Alabama Montgomery 1989 1990 Murder 25 years 0.1 24 Black Male 08-29-2011
Butler, Louise Alabama Lowndes 1928 1928 Murder Life 0.2 Black Female 03-13-2018
Cook, Quinton Alabama Jefferson 1993 2022 Sexual Assault 20 years 20.6 20 Black Male 01-06-2023
Ellis, Andre Alabama Pike 2013 2014 Sexual Assault 85 years 1.8 35 Black Male 12-10-2014
Embry, Anthony Alabama Jefferson 1993 1997 Murder 20 years 4.0 21 Black Male 10-24-2013
Gaines, Freddie Lee Alabama Jefferson 1974 1991 Murder 30 years 10.7 22 Black Male 08-29-2011
Grimes, Don Alabama Henry 1987 1996 Robbery Life without parole 9.3 30 Black Male 10-03-2018
Hinton, Anthony Alabama Jefferson 1986 2015 Murder Death 28.5 29 Black Male 04-09-2015
Meadows, Frank Jr. Alabama Jefferson 1993 2022 Sexual Assault 20 years 21.4 18 Black Male 01-06-2023
Pardue, Michael Alabama Mobile 1973 1995 Murder Life 0 17 White Male 08-01-2023
Sealie, Frank Alabama Jefferson 2014 2015 Murder Life without parole 0.8 23 Black Male 03-17-2015
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