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: 27
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Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Years lost Age Race Sex Posting Date
Anderson, David Pennsylvania Venango 2001 2011 Sexual Assault 5 to 15 years 0 34 White Male 11-24-2014
Bilger, George Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1938 1940 Murder Death 2.5 19 White Male 10-25-2021
Daidone, Albert Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1984 1999 Murder Life without parole 15.3 38 White Male 11-17-2014
Dubbs, Charles T. Pennsylvania Lancaster 2002 2007 Sexual Assault 12 to 40 years 5.3 36 White Male 08-29-2011
Ferber, Neil Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1982 1986 Murder Death 3.7 34 White Male 03-13-2018
Fritz, Judith Pennsylvania Lehigh 1995 1997 Manslaughter 3 years 0 35 White Female 05-29-2013
Gainer, Donald Pennsylvania Allegheny 1985 1992 Arson 22 to 45 years 7.6 31 White Male 10-14-2014
Godesky, Scott Pennsylvania Allegheny 1997 2019 Murder Life without parole 22.5 24 White Male 09-03-2019
Godschalk, Bruce Pennsylvania Montgomery 1987 2002 Sexual Assault 10 to 20 years 14.7 26 White Male 08-29-2011
Handley, Zachary Pennsylvania Northampton 2008 2015 Arson 6 to 12 months 1.0 13 White Male 05-15-2015
Hopkins, Gregory Pennsylvania Beaver 2013 2022 Murder 8 to 16 years 6.5 33 White Male 05-26-2022
Jones, Hayden Pennsylvania Allegheny 1949 1968 Child Sex Abuse 15 to 30 years 18.7 25 White Male 03-13-2018
Kelly, Donald Pennsylvania Cambria 1990 1993 Murder Life 2.9 26 White Male 07-31-2013
Kelly, William M. Jr. Pennsylvania Dauphin 1990 1993 Murder 10 to 20 years 2.5 28 White Male 08-29-2011
Kimbell, Thomas Pennsylvania Lawrence 1998 2002 Murder Death 4.0 32 White Male 08-29-2011
Kirkwood, Justin Pennsylvania Lawrence 2003 2006 Robbery 3 1/2 to 7 years 2.1 22 White Male 08-29-2011
Laughman, Barry Pennsylvania Adams 1988 2004 Murder Life 14.9 24 White Male 08-29-2011
Martorano, Raymond Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1984 1999 Murder Life without parole 15.3 53 White Male 11-17-2014
Purtell, Daniel Pennsylvania Centre 2002 2004 Sexual Assault 3 1/2 to 6 years 2.2 21 White Male 08-29-2011
Ruby, Donald Pennsylvania Perry 1987 1993 Murder Life 6.2 39 White Male 10-28-2014
Rusnak, George Pennsylvania Allegheny 1891 1897 Murder Death 6.7 20 White Male 03-13-2018
Sabol, Michael Pennsylvania Allegheny 1891 1895 Murder Death 4.1 White Male 03-13-2018
Schaaf, David Pennsylvania Bucks 2003 2006 Attempted Murder 14 to 28 years 2.7 40 White Male 07-11-2013
Sheeler, Rudolph Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1939 1951 Murder Life 12.1 23 White Male 03-13-2018
Stonehouse, Carol Pennsylvania Allegheny 1983 1990 Murder 7 to 14 years 6.5 41 White Female 03-11-2013
Toth, Andrew Pennsylvania Allegheny 1891 1911 Murder Death 19.9 41 White Male 03-13-2018
Wilkinson, Robert Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1976 1977 Murder Not Sentenced 1.1 26 White Male 03-13-2018