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.

Read Less
Total records: 7
Select More Columns:
Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Years lost Age Race Sex Posting Date
Avery, Steven Wisconsin Manitowoc 1985 2003 Attempted Murder 32 years 17.7 23 White Male 08-29-2011
Ayers, Randall Lynn Ohio Hamilton 1982 1990 Attempted Murder 14 to 50 years 8.3 17 White Male 08-29-2011
Gray, David A. Illinois Madison 1978 1999 Attempted Murder 60 years 20.3 25 Black Male 08-29-2011
Holland, Dana Illinois Cook 1995 2003 Attempted Murder 28 years 8.2 25 Black Male 08-29-2011
Neely, Todd Florida Martin 1987 1989 Attempted Murder 15 years 0.2 18 White Male 12-29-2012
Thomas, Gerry Michigan Wayne 1991 2020 Attempted Murder 40 to 60 years 29.0 30 Black Male 01-31-2020
Williams, Archie Louisiana East Baton Rouge 1983 2019 Attempted Murder Life without parole 35.9 22 Black Male 03-23-2019