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 Posting Date
Anderson, Marvin Virginia Hanover 1982 2002 Sexual Assault Life 14.5 18 Black Male 08-29-2011
Barnes, Lamar Virginia Portsmouth City 2003 2022 Murder Life 18.4 20 Black Male 01-27-2022
Boyce, David Virginia Newport News City 1991 2013 Murder Life 22.1 19 White Male 09-24-2013
Carter, Joseph Virginia Norfolk City 1990 2021 Murder Life 26.4 30 Black Male 08-24-2021
Cox, Jeffrey Virginia Richmond City 1991 2001 Murder Life 10.7 22 White Male 08-29-2011
Grimm, Marvin Jr. Virginia Richmond City 1976 2024 Murder Life 44.1 20 White Male 07-05-2024
Haas, Michael Virginia Powhatan 1994 2022 Child Sex Abuse Life 23.4 38 White Male 04-27-2022
Harward, Keith Virginia Newport News City 1983 2016 Murder Life 32.4 26 White Male 04-15-2016
Honaker, Edward Virginia Nelson 1985 1994 Sexual Assault Life 9.7 33 White Male 08-29-2011
Johnson, Messiah Virginia Norfolk City 1998 2021 Robbery Life 19.5 23 Black Male 01-12-2026
Moore, Curtis Virginia Greensville 1978 2010 Murder Life 3.1 32 Black Male 08-29-2011
Reedy, Davey Virginia Roanoke 1988 2015 Murder Life 21.2 32 White Male 12-31-2015
Ruffin, Julius Virginia Norfolk City 1982 2003 Sexual Assault Life 20.4 28 Black Male 08-29-2011
Stevens, Emerson Virginia Lancaster 1986 2021 Murder Life 30.9 32 White Male 09-20-2021
Thomas, Maverick Virginia Martinsville City 2005 2006 Murder Life 0.9 31 Black Male 08-18-2018