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: 624
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Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Years lost Age Race Sex Posting Date
Williams, Robert Illinois Kankakee 2017 2021 Assault 9 years 2.8 28 Black Male 12-10-2021
Williams, Tyrece Illinois Cook 1991 2025 Murder 35 years 18.6 22 Black Male 04-22-2025
Willing, Rusty Illinois Adams 2016 2020 Child Sex Abuse 30 years 2.1 34 White Male 06-23-2020
Willis, Deon Illinois Cook 2008 2018 Drug Possession or Sale 2 Years 1.2 33 Black Male 12-03-2018
Willis, Dexter Illinois Cook 2004 2022 Drug Possession or Sale 3 years 0.8 19 Black Male 05-16-2022
Willis, Dexter Illinois Cook 2003 2022 Drug Possession or Sale 3 months 0.2 18 Black Male 10-04-2022
Willis, John Illinois Cook 1993 1999 Sexual Assault Life 6.0 42 Black Male 08-29-2011
Wilson, Jackie Illinois Cook 1983 2020 Murder Life without parole 35.4 21 Black Male 10-16-2020
Wilson, Robert Illinois Cook 1999 2006 Attempted Murder 30 years 7.1 41 Black Male 08-29-2011
Winston, Michael Illinois Cook 2007 2012 Murder 40 years 5.3 21 Black Male 07-05-2012
Wise, Martez Illinois Cook 2007 2018 Drug Possession or Sale 1 year 1.0 23 Black Male 12-03-2018
Woidtke, Rodney Illinois St. Clair 1989 2001 Murder 45 years 11.6 27 White Male 08-29-2011
Woods, D'Andra Illinois Cook 2004 2022 Drug Possession or Sale 3 years 1.5 25 Black Male 05-18-2022
Wrice, Stanley Illinois Cook 1983 2013 Sexual Assault Life 30.6 28 Black Male 12-12-2013
Wright, Anthony Illinois Cook 2007 2022 Drug Possession or Sale 2 years 0.2 42 Black Male 03-14-2022
Wright, Anthony Jr. Illinois Cook 2005 2022 Drug Possession or Sale 5 years 1.5 19 Black Male 05-11-2022
Wright, David Illinois Cook 1996 2023 Murder Life without parole 25.9 17 Black Male 04-20-2023
Wright, Ervin Illinois Cook 2004 2023 Drug Possession or Sale 1 year and 6 months 0.3 43 Black Male 09-13-2023
Wright, Joseph Illinois Cook 2005 2022 Drug Possession or Sale Probation 0 23 Black Male 03-14-2022
Wynn, Morris Illinois Cook 2005 2006 Drug Possession or Sale 8 years 1.7 21 White Male 08-29-2011
Yanez, Jose Illinois Rock Island 2020 2024 Murder 15 years 2.4 28 Hispanic Male 12-05-2024
Young, Dan Jr. Illinois Cook 1994 2005 Murder Life without parole 10.4 30 Black Male 08-29-2011
Young, Gregory Illinois Cook 2003 2022 Drug Possession or Sale 4 years 1.9 38 Black Male 03-08-2022
Zajicek, Herman Illinois Cook 1907 1917 Murder Death 9.5 39 White Male 03-13-2018