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: 16
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Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Years lost Age Race Sex Date of Release Posting Date
Chaparro, Anthony New Jersey Union 2003 2014 Sexual Assault Life 11.3 48 Hispanic Male 2014 12-05-2014
de los Santos, Jorge New Jersey Essex 1975 1983 Murder Life 7.8 30 Hispanic Male 1983 03-13-2018
Halsey, Byron New Jersey Union 1988 2007 Murder Life 19.2 24 Black Male 2007 08-29-2011
Kamienski, Paul New Jersey Ocean 1988 2010 Murder Life 20.6 35 White Male 2009 03-29-2013
Kelley, Eric New Jersey Passaic 1996 2018 Murder Life 21.8 28 Black Male 2017 04-18-2018
Landano, Vincent James New Jersey Hudson 1977 1998 Murder Life 16.7 36 White Male 1994 08-29-2011
Lee, Ralph New Jersey Passaic 1996 2018 Murder Life 21.6 30 Black Male 2017 04-18-2018
Merritt, George New Jersey Union 1968 1980 Murder Life 11.2 24 Black Male 1980 03-13-2018
Moore, Clarence New Jersey Atlantic 1987 2006 Sexual Assault Life 14.4 36 Black Male 2001 08-29-2011
Morello, Raffaelo New Jersey Essex 1918 1926 Murder Life 11.1 25 White Male 1929 03-13-2018
Peterson, Larry New Jersey Burlington 1989 2006 Murder Life 16.4 36 Black Male 2005 08-29-2011
Simmons, Lawrence New Jersey Passaic 1977 2000 Murder Life 22.6 19 Black Male 2000 06-07-2013
Vega, Damaso New Jersey Monmouth 1982 1989 Murder Life 7.5 37 Hispanic Male 1989 08-29-2011
Walker, Nathaniel New Jersey Union 1976 1986 Sexual Assault Life 10.5 32 Black Male 1986 03-13-2018
Ways, Anthony New Jersey Camden 1991 2005 Murder Life 12.8 19 Black Male 2004 12-08-2015
Wright, Isaac Jr. New Jersey Somerset 1991 1998 Drug Possession or Sale Life 5.6 28 Black Male 1996 05-10-2023