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 Date of Release Posting Date
Abbott, Stearns Kendall Massachusetts Middlesex 1880 1911 Murder Death 30.5 40 White Male 1911 03-13-2018
Collins, Benjamin Massachusetts Middlesex 1928 1928 Robbery 2.5 to 3.5 years 0 48 Don't Know Male 1928 03-13-2018
Maher, Dennis Massachusetts Middlesex 1984 2003 Sexual Assault Life 18.8 22 White Male 2003 08-29-2011
O'Loughlin, Kevin Massachusetts Middlesex 1983 2015 Child Sex Abuse 4 to 6 years 3.8 19 White Male 1986 12-29-2016
Phinney, Roland Jr. Massachusetts Middlesex 1990 2008 Murder Life 15.7 36 White Male 2006 08-29-2011
Ralston, Sean Massachusetts Middlesex 1989 1992 Manslaughter 10 to 15 years 2.8 18 White Male 1991 10-25-2014
Rosario, Victor Massachusetts Middlesex 1983 2017 Murder Life 31.3 24 Hispanic Male 2014 09-18-2017
Rubin, Jerome Massachusetts Middlesex 2010 2016 Arson 2 years 1.0 48 White Male 2011 05-31-2016
Sarsfield, Eric Massachusetts Middlesex 1987 2000 Sexual Assault 10 to 15 years 7.6 23 White Male 1995 08-29-2011
Stewart, Charles Kevin Massachusetts Middlesex 1988 1994 Child Sex Abuse 15 to 25 years 0 30 White Male 1988 03-25-2026
Stewart, Thea Massachusetts Middlesex 1988 1994 Child Sex Abuse 7 to 15 years 0 26 White Female 1988 03-25-2026
Sullivan, Michael Massachusetts Middlesex 1987 2019 Murder Life without parole 25.8 25 White Male 2013 03-07-2019
Vargas-Cintron, Johnny Massachusetts Middlesex 2011 2013 Drug Possession or Sale 7 years 2.1 34 Hispanic Male 2013 11-08-2013
Waters, Kenneth Massachusetts Middlesex 1983 2001 Murder Life 17.8 25 White Male 2001 08-29-2011