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: 20
Export More Data
Select More Columns:
Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Years lost Age Race Sex Posting Date
Adams, Kenneth Illinois Cook 1978 1996 Murder 75 years 17.7 22 Black Male 08-29-2011
Chatman, Carl Illinois Cook 2004 2013 Sexual Assault 30 years 9.6 47 Black Male 09-10-2013
Cruz, Rolando Illinois DuPage 1985 1995 Murder Death 10.7 19 Hispanic Male 08-29-2011
Evans, Michael Illinois Cook 1976 2003 Murder Life 26.9 17 Black Male 08-29-2011
Gray, David A. Illinois Madison 1978 1999 Attempted Murder 60 years 20.3 25 Black Male 08-29-2011
Gray, Paula Illinois Cook 1978 2002 Murder 50 years 6.7 17 Black Female 08-29-2011
Hernandez, Alejandro Illinois DuPage 1985 1995 Murder Death 10.7 19 Hispanic Male 08-29-2011
Jimerson, Verneal Illinois Cook 1985 1996 Murder Death 10.2 25 Black Male 08-29-2011
Linscott, Steven Illinois Cook 1982 1992 Murder 40 years 3.4 26 White Male 08-29-2011
Lyons, Marcus Illinois DuPage 1988 2007 Sexual Assault 6 years 2.4 29 Black Male 08-29-2011
Marshall, James Illinois Cook 1991 2024 Murder 60 years 28.1 32 Black Male 08-28-2024
Melock, Robert Illinois Lake 1989 2023 Murder Death 34.1 22 White Male 01-02-2025
Rainge, Willie Illinois Cook 1978 1996 Murder Life 17.7 20 Black Male 08-29-2011
Terry, Paul Illinois Cook 1977 2003 Murder Life 26.1 17 Black Male 08-29-2011
Thompson, Patrick Illinois Champaign 2006 2008 Sexual Assault Not Sentenced 0 35 Black Male 07-29-2012
Tillman, Michael Illinois Cook 1986 2010 Murder Life 23.1 20 Black Male 08-29-2011
Williams, Dennis Illinois Cook 1978 1996 Murder Death 17.7 21 Black Male 08-29-2011
Willis, John Illinois Cook 1993 1999 Sexual Assault Life 6.0 42 Black Male 08-29-2011
Woidtke, Rodney Illinois St. Clair 1989 2001 Murder 45 years 11.6 27 White Male 08-29-2011
Wrice, Stanley Illinois Cook 1983 2013 Sexual Assault Life 30.6 28 Black Male 12-12-2013