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 Posting Date
Adams, Cheryl Massachusetts Essex 1989 1993 Theft Probation 0 26 White Female 10-28-2014
Alvarez, Carlos Jr. Massachusetts Worcester 2017 2019 Drug Possession or Sale 3 years and 6 months 2.9 38 Hispanic Male 12-31-2024
Chambers, Anthony Massachusetts Suffolk 2009 2014 Manslaughter 5 to 7 years 4.7 51 Black Male 09-21-2016
Chiappini, Wayne Massachusetts Plymouth 2006 2010 Assault 2 years and 6 months 1.2 48 White Male 09-30-2016
Emory, Malcolm Massachusetts Suffolk 1970 1990 Assault Probation 0 19 Native American Male 04-08-2013
Graham, Chris Massachusetts Hampden 2018 2021 Weapon Possession or Sale 1 year and 6 months 1.5 29 Black Male 01-07-2025
Gutierrez, Erasmo Massachusetts Essex 2004 2022 Arson 1 to 2 years 1.8 39 Hispanic Male 05-05-2023
Jacobson, Barry Massachusetts Berkshire 1983 2022 Arson 6 months 1.1 38 White Male 04-05-2022
LaFratta, Joseph Massachusetts Essex 2009 2010 Forgery 2 years 1.1 33 White Male 02-15-2018
Lewis, Joshua Massachusetts Norfolk 2007 2016 Attempted Murder 4 to 6 years 4.0 19 Black Male 06-23-2025
Norton, Roger Massachusetts Hampden 1992 2005 Child Sex Abuse 16 to 20 years 12.7 49 White Male 11-27-2012
Ralston, Sean Massachusetts Middlesex 1989 1992 Manslaughter 10 to 15 years 2.8 18 White Male 10-25-2014
Rubin, Jerome Massachusetts Middlesex 2010 2016 Arson 2 years 1.0 48 White Male 05-31-2016
Smigielski, Amy Massachusetts Hampden 2009 2012 Weapon Possession or Sale 1 year and 6 months 1.4 37 White Female 11-06-2017
Vargas-Cintron, Johnny Massachusetts Middlesex 2011 2013 Drug Possession or Sale 7 years 2.1 34 Hispanic Male 11-08-2013