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: 36
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Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Years lost Age Race Sex Posting Date
Bray, George Illinois Cook 1942 1958 Sexual Assault Life 15.6 28 White Male 06-07-2021
Briggs, Joseph Illinois Cook 1905 1906 Murder Death 1.1 White Male 04-03-2023
Burt, Lavale Illinois Cook 1986 1986 Murder Not Sentenced 0.1 19 Black Male 03-13-2018
Cobb, Perry Illinois Cook 1979 1987 Murder Death 7.3 37 Black Male 03-13-2018
Dixon, James Illinois Cook 1972 1974 Murder 25 to 60 years 1.8 18 Black Male 05-29-2020
Dixon, James Illinois Cook 1976 1976 Assault 1 year 0.1 22 Black Male 05-29-2020
Eaton, Roy Illinois Rock Island 1940 1956 Robbery 1 year to life 15.8 34 White Male 03-13-2018
Evans, Will Illinois Pulaski 1912 1932 Sexual Assault Life 20.3 Black Male 03-13-2018
Fischer, Marshall Illinois Cook 1942 1942 Robbery Life 0.2 21 White Male 03-13-2018
Flood, Floyd Illinois St. Clair 1924 1926 Robbery 10 years to life 1.1 24 White Male 03-13-2018
Fowler, Walter Illinois Cook 1937 1953 Murder Life 11.8 19 Black Male 03-13-2018
Garrett, Sammie Illinois Cook 1970 1976 Murder 20 to 40 years 5.4 21 Black Male 03-13-2018
Harling, Harry Illinois Cook 1973 1976 Manslaughter 3 to 9 years 1.9 31 White Male 04-19-2021
Harpstrite, Valentine Illinois St. Clair 1929 1968 Murder Life 20.1 24 White Male 03-13-2018
Howell, Everett Illinois Adams 1928 1930 Robbery 1 year to life 1.9 White Male 03-13-2018
Lettrich, George Illinois Cook 1951 1953 Murder Death 1.5 33 White Male 03-13-2018
Lindsey, Lloyd Illinois Cook 1975 1979 Murder 40 to 80 years 3.5 17 Black Male 03-13-2018
Long, James Illinois Cook 1934 1934 Robbery 1 to Life 0.3 22 White Male 03-13-2018
Lucas, Jesse Illinois Wabash 1909 1941 Murder Life 22.4 23 White Male 03-13-2018
Lucas, Margaret Illinois Wabash 1909 1941 Murder Life 0 White Female 03-13-2018
Majczek, Joseph Illinois Cook 1933 1946 Murder Life 11.8 24 White Male 03-13-2018
Marcinkiewicz, Theodore Illinois Cook 1933 1950 Murder Life 16.3 25 White Male 03-13-2018
McDonald, Wilbur Illinois Cook 1971 1973 Murder Life 2.0 31 White Male 03-13-2018
Metegrano, Pat Illinois Cook 1942 1942 Robbery 1 to 5 years 0.2 25 White Male 03-13-2018
Miller, Lloyd Eldon Illinois Hancock 1956 1971 Murder Death 10.3 29 White Male 03-13-2018
Montgomery, James Illinois Lake 1924 1949 Sexual Assault Life 25.6 30 Black Male 03-13-2018
Napue, Henry Illinois Cook 1940 1960 Murder Life 19.5 23 Black Male 03-13-2018
Olson, Henry Illinois Winnebago 1928 1928 Murder Life 0 26 Don't Know Male 03-13-2018
Pugh, Earl Howard Illinois Cook 1937 1953 Murder Life 16.4 19 Black Male 03-13-2018
Sabin, Theodore Illinois Winnebago 1957 1957 Robbery Unknown 0.2 24 Don't Know Male 04-27-2021
Starks, Ronnie Illinois Lake 1982 1985 Robbery 11 years 3.1 White Male 03-13-2018
Sullivan, Melvin Illinois Cook 1979 1987 Murder 20 years 7.5 27 White Male 12-07-2020
Synon, Michael J. Illinois Cook 1900 1901 Murder Death 1.3 55 White Male 03-13-2018
Tillis, Darby Illinois Cook 1979 1987 Murder Death 7.3 36 Black Male 03-13-2018
Walden, Oscar Jr. Illinois Cook 1952 1978 Sexual Assault 75 years 13.4 20 Black Male 03-30-2020
Zajicek, Herman Illinois Cook 1907 1917 Murder Death 9.5 39 White Male 03-13-2018