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 Date of Release Posting Date
Butler, Louise Alabama Lowndes 1928 1928 Murder Life 0.2 Black Female 1928 03-13-2018
Davis, Glenn Alabama Fayette 1933 1940 Robbery 25 years 7.0 24 White Male 1940 12-07-2025
Geeslin, Mark Alabama Madison 1985 1988 Sexual Assault Life 2.9 23 White Male 1988 07-17-2025
Hathaway, Bill Alabama Fayette 1934 1940 Robbery 10 years 6.7 26 White Male 1940 12-07-2025
Jordan, William E. Alabama Geneva 1934 1934 Murder 25 years 0.8 65 Don't Know Male 1934 07-16-2019
McCarn, Herschel Alabama Fayette 1934 1940 Robbery 25 years 6.7 26 White Male 1940 12-07-2025
Montgomery, Olen Alabama Jackson 1931 1937 Sexual Assault Death 6.3 17 Black Male 1937 03-13-2018
Norris, Clarence Alabama Jackson 1931 1976 Sexual Assault Death 13.2 19 Black Male 1944 03-13-2018
Powell, Ozie Alabama Jackson 1931 1937 Sexual Assault Death 6.3 16 Black Male 1937 03-13-2018
Roberson, Willie Alabama Jackson 1931 1937 Sexual Assault Death 6.3 16 Black Male 1937 03-13-2018
Staten, Cleo Alabama Marshall 1920 1927 Murder Life 6.4 Black Male 1927 03-13-2018
Ward, William Alabama Tuscaloosa 1975 1977 Manslaughter 10 years 1.4 21 Black Male 1977 03-13-2018
Williams, Eugene Alabama Jackson 1931 1937 Sexual Assault Death 6.3 15 Black Male 1937 03-13-2018
Wilson, William Alabama Blount 1914 1918 Murder Life 4.4 38 White Male 1918 03-13-2018
Yelder, George Alabama Lowndes 1928 1928 Murder Life 0.2 55 Black Male 1928 03-13-2018