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: 15
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Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Years lost Age Race Sex Date of Release Posting Date
Baugh, Jimmie Michigan Wayne 2003 2023 Murder Life without parole 0 35 Black Male 2003 01-16-2024
Berry, Gregory Michigan Wayne 2004 2020 Murder Life without parole 16.2 20 White Male 2020 02-08-2021
Burton, Danny Michigan Wayne 1987 2019 Murder Life without parole 32.3 19 Black Male 2019 12-13-2019
DeJesus, George Michigan Oakland 1997 2022 Murder Life 24.3 18 Hispanic Male 2022 04-01-2022
DeJesus, Melvin Michigan Oakland 1997 2022 Murder Life 24.3 21 Hispanic Male 2022 04-01-2022
Howard, Bernard Michigan Wayne 1995 2020 Murder Life without parole 25.6 18 Black Male 2020 01-23-2021
Khalil, Edward Michigan Wayne 2012 2020 Murder Life 7.6 28 Black Male 2020 08-04-2020
McDowell, Vidale Michigan Wayne 2003 2004 Murder Life 1.2 18 Black Male 2004 08-29-2011
Owens, David Michigan Wayne 1988 2021 Murder 25 years 25.8 19 Black Male 2014 01-24-2022
Phillips, Richard Michigan Wayne 1972 2018 Murder Life without parole 45.2 25 Black Male 2017 04-01-2018
Phillips, Richard Michigan Oakland 1971 2022 Robbery 7 to 22 1/2 years 0.9 25 Black Male 1972 10-04-2022
Sadowski, Jason Michigan Marquette 2014 2017 Other Violent Felony 40 to 80 years 3.0 43 White Male 2017 04-03-2017
Shelman, Eron Michigan Wayne 1992 2025 Murder Life 30.2 19 Black Male 2023 02-04-2025
Smith, Feronda Michigan Genesee 2011 2018 Murder Life without parole 7.5 30 Black Male 2018 02-04-2019
Watkins, Ledura Michigan Wayne 1976 2017 Murder Life without parole 41.2 19 Black Male 2017 06-29-2017