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: 22
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Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Years lost Age Race Sex Posting Date
Brison, Dale Pennsylvania Chester 1991 1994 Sexual Assault 18 to 42 years 2.6 27 Black Male 08-29-2011
Brown, Patrick Pennsylvania Dauphin 2002 2010 Robbery 22 to 70 years 8.0 21 Black Male 06-30-2012
Doswell, Thomas Pennsylvania Allegheny 1986 2005 Sexual Assault 13 to 26 years 18.7 27 Black Male 08-29-2011
Fogle, Lewis Pennsylvania Indiana 1982 2015 Murder Life without parole 33.5 24 White Male 09-16-2015
Godschalk, Bruce Pennsylvania Montgomery 1987 2002 Sexual Assault 10 to 20 years 14.7 26 White Male 08-29-2011
Hicks, Termaine Pennsylvania Philadelphia 2002 2020 Sexual Assault 12 1/2 to 25 years 18.1 26 Black Male 01-12-2021
In, John Pennsylvania Philadelphia 2008 2022 Robbery 25 to 50 years 13.7 23 Black Male 06-23-2022
Johnson, William Pennsylvania Philadelphia 2009 2023 Murder 30 to 60 years 14.0 24 Black Male 06-15-2023
Kelly, William M. Jr. Pennsylvania Dauphin 1990 1993 Murder 10 to 20 years 2.5 28 White Male 08-29-2011
Kimbell, Thomas Pennsylvania Lawrence 1998 2002 Murder Death 4.0 32 White Male 08-29-2011
Laughman, Barry Pennsylvania Adams 1988 2004 Murder Life 14.9 24 White Male 08-29-2011
Montalvo, Noel Pennsylvania York 2003 2023 Murder Death 20.8 33 Hispanic Male 01-18-2024
Moto, Vincent Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1987 1996 Sexual Assault 12 to 24 years 9.5 22 Black Male 08-29-2011
Nelson, Bruce Pennsylvania Allegheny 1982 1991 Murder Life 9.2 24 Black Male 08-29-2011
Nesmith, Willie James Pennsylvania Cumberland 1982 2001 Sexual Assault 9 to 25 years 18.0 20 Black Male 08-29-2011
Ogrod, Walter Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1996 2020 Murder Death 23.7 23 White Male 06-25-2020
Ramirez, Edward Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1998 2023 Murder Life 25.9 18 Hispanic Male 12-11-2023
Ruby, Donald Pennsylvania Perry 1987 1993 Murder Life 6.2 39 White Male 10-28-2014
Whitley, Drew Pennsylvania Allegheny 1989 2006 Murder Life 16.9 32 Black Male 08-29-2011
Wilson, Harold C. Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1989 2005 Murder Death 16.1 30 Black Male 08-29-2011
Wright, Anthony Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1993 2016 Murder Life without parole 23.2 20 Black Male 08-26-2016
Yarris, Nicholas Pennsylvania Delaware 1982 2003 Murder Death 21.2 20 White Male 08-29-2011