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
Armstrong, Ralph Wisconsin Dane 1981 2009 Murder Life 28.4 27 White Male 2009 08-29-2011
Avery, William Wisconsin Milwaukee 2005 2010 Murder 40 years 5.2 25 Black Male 2010 08-29-2011
Burnside, Brandon Wisconsin Milwaukee 2011 2015 Murder Life 4.7 27 Black Male 2015 09-28-2015
Corbine, Maurice Wisconsin Sawyer 2011 2015 Traffic Offense 6 years 3.6 30 Native American Male 2015 01-10-2017
Frey, Joseph Wisconsin Winnebago 1994 2013 Sexual Assault Life 19.4 31 White Male 2013 07-12-2013
Gonzalez, Esteban Wisconsin Milwaukee 2008 2011 Other Nonviolent Felony 1 year and 6 months 0.2 28 Hispanic Male 2008 07-26-2021
Hadaway, Sammy Wisconsin Milwaukee 1996 2018 Attempt, Violent 5 years 3.5 20 Black Male 1999 10-09-2018
Jackson, Raynard Wisconsin Milwaukee 2004 2009 Weapon Possession or Sale 5 years and 9 months 5.5 22 Black Male 2009 01-12-2017
Jones, Brenda Wisconsin Adams 2016 2018 Arson 9 months 0 49 White Female 2016 11-15-2018
Ott, Chaunte Wisconsin Milwaukee 1996 2009 Murder Life 12.9 21 Black Male 2009 08-29-2011
Piaskowski, Michael Wisconsin Brown 1995 2001 Murder Life 5.4 43 White Male 2001 11-27-2012
Rash, Morris Wisconsin Milwaukee 2004 2009 Weapon Possession or Sale 4 to 6 years 5.4 23 Black Male 2009 01-12-2017
Sanchez, Santos Wisconsin Milwaukee 1996 2021 Murder Life 24.4 46 Hispanic Male 2021 05-22-2021
Sturgeon, Michael Wisconsin Walworth 1997 2000 Burglary 120 days 0.3 16 White Male 1997 07-15-2014
Williams, Victor Wisconsin Jackson 2012 2014 Sexual Assault 12 years 1.7 32 Black Male 2014 11-12-2016