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: 25
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Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Years lost Age Race Sex Posting Date
Alford, John North Carolina Mecklenburg 1975 1976 Murder Death 1.2 22 Black Male 07-13-2022
Benton, John North Carolina Mecklenburg 1942 1943 Assault 15 years 1.5 15 Black Male 04-01-2021
Bowles, Joe North Carolina Surry 1919 1921 Murder Death 2.3 White Male 09-30-2022
Bridgeman, Walter North Carolina Davidson 1932 1935 Robbery 15 years 2.4 20 White Male 03-13-2018
Carey, Anthony North Carolina Mecklenburg 1973 1974 Murder Death 1.1 20 Black Male 10-05-2021
Dove, Frank North Carolina Onslow 1922 1928 Murder Death 5.4 Black Male 03-13-2018
Dove, Fred North Carolina Onslow 1922 1928 Murder Death 5.4 Black Male 03-13-2018
Fowler, Victor North Carolina Davidson 1932 1935 Robbery 15 years 2.4 19 White Male 03-13-2018
Hankins, Leonard Minnesota Hennepin 1933 1953 Murder Life 20.1 36 White Male 03-13-2018
Hefner, Cecil North Carolina Burke 1920 1921 Murder 15 years 0.3 White Male 03-13-2018
Horne, Joe North Carolina Davidson 1932 1935 Robbery 15 years 2.3 20 White Male 03-13-2018
Hughes, George Minnesota Chisago 1921 1931 Robbery Life 9.8 White Male 03-13-2018
Kendall, Hamp North Carolina Caldwell 1907 1917 Murder 30 years 10.1 30 White Male 03-13-2018
Klass, Louis Minnesota Fillmore 1928 1931 Robbery 5 to 40 years 3.1 White Male 03-13-2018
Langley, Gus North Carolina Buncombe 1932 1936 Murder Death 1.9 31 White Male 03-13-2018
Palmer, Sylvian North Carolina Davidson 1932 1935 Robbery 15 years 2.4 20 White Male 03-13-2018
Parrott, Lemuel North Carolina Lenoir 1947 1948 Murder Death 1.0 27 Don't Know Male 03-13-2018
Sawyer, Lonnie North Carolina Union 1975 1977 Kidnapping 28 to 32 years 1.5 18 White Male 03-13-2018
Sawyer, Sandy North Carolina Union 1975 1977 Kidnapping 32 to 40 years 1.5 21 White Male 03-13-2018
Slyter, George Minnesota Hennepin 1931 1931 Robbery Not Sentenced 0 29 White Male 03-13-2018
Spicer, Christopher North Carolina New Hanover 1973 1975 Murder Death 1.4 24 Don't Know Male 03-13-2018
Thorvik, Louis Minnesota Chisago 1922 1931 Robbery Life 9.0 33 White Male 03-13-2018
Vickers, John North Carolina Caldwell 1907 1917 Murder 26 years 10.1 40 White Male 03-13-2018
Wellmon, William North Carolina Iredell 1942 1943 Sexual Assault Death 1.0 36 Black Male 03-13-2018
Williams, George North Carolina Onslow 1922 1928 Murder Death 5.4 Black Male 03-13-2018