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: 6
Select More Columns:
Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Years lost Age Race Sex Date of Release Posting Date
Botts, Nancy Louise Indiana Howard 1934 1935 Forgery 2 to 14 years 1.1 27 White Female 1935 03-13-2018
Cochran, John D. Indiana Wabash 1888 1890 Murder Life 1.8 White Male 1890 03-13-2018
Hicks, Larry Indiana Lake 1978 1980 Murder Death 2.3 19 Black Male 1980 03-13-2018
Hogan, Virgil Indiana Allen 1958 1962 Robbery 10 to 25 years 4.6 26 Don't Know Male 1962 04-14-2021
Nelson, Melvin Indiana Lake 1975 1978 Other Nonviolent Felony Life 2.8 33 Black Male 1978 04-14-2021
Singleton, Edward Indiana Lake 1931 1935 Robbery 10 years 3.7 39 White Male 1935 03-13-2018