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: 11
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Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Years lost Age Race Sex Date of Release Posting Date
Dorval, Jean New Jersey Union 1996 2018 Murder 60 years 22.2 21 Black Male 2018 05-04-2018
Kelley, Eric New Jersey Passaic 1996 2018 Murder Life 21.8 28 Black Male 2017 04-18-2018
Knight, Curtis New Jersey Essex 1990 2001 Murder 30 years 11.6 35 Black Male 2001 08-02-2013
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
Louis, James New Jersey Union 1996 2020 Murder 60 years 24.4 20 Black Male 2020 07-28-2020
Mervilus, Emmanuel New Jersey Union 2008 2013 Robbery 11 years 3.3 22 Black Male 2011 05-03-2018
Michaels, Margaret Kelly New Jersey Essex 1988 1994 Child Sex Abuse 47 years 5.0 22 White Female 1993 02-21-2012
Pierre, Duquene New Jersey Union 1996 2016 Murder 60 years 20.4 22 Black Male 2016 07-13-2016
Vega, Damaso New Jersey Monmouth 1982 1989 Murder Life 7.5 37 Hispanic Male 1989 08-29-2011
Ways, Anthony New Jersey Camden 1991 2005 Murder Life 12.8 19 Black Male 2004 12-08-2015