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 ANY of those words. 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 Using the Registry for Research, 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. Read Less
Total records: 18
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Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Term of Years Years lost Age Race Sex Year of recantation Date of Release Posting Date
Ballard, Frances Tennessee Shelby 1987 1993 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 5 years 0 54 White Female 1988 03-21-2013
Bargery, Joshua Tennessee Lake 2015 2022 Murder Life without parole 7 20 White Male 2022 02-01-2023
Burgess, Wayne Tennessee Giles 1999 2023 Murder Life 24 34 Black Male 2023 08-16-2023
Busby, William Tennessee Lewis 2003 2019 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 20 years 16 28 White Male 2019 12-13-2019
Daniels, Elmer Delaware New Castle 1980 2018 Child Sex Abuse Life 39 18 Black Male 2018 12-17-2018
Dollard, Jermaine Delaware Kent 2013 2015 Drug Possession or Sale Term of Years 20 years 1 38 Black Male 2015 02-01-2015
Dunn, Charlie Tennessee Davidson 1988 2022 Murder Life 26 43 Black Male 2015 01-24-2022
Garrett, Claude Tennessee Davidson 1993 2022 Murder Life without parole 29 35 White Male 2022 06-21-2022
Harper, James Tennessee Knox 1985 2005 Assault Term of Years 5 years 2 45 White Male 1987 11-14-2017
House, Paul G. Tennessee Union 1986 2009 Murder Death 22 23 White Male 2008 08-29-2011
Hutchison, Leonard Tennessee Knox 1985 2005 Assault Term of Years 25 years 10 39 White Male 1996 11-14-2017
Leath, Raynella Dossett Tennessee Knox 2010 2017 Murder Life 6 54 White Female 2016 06-02-2017
McCormick, Michael Lee Tennessee Jefferson 1987 2007 Murder Death 16 32 White Male 2003 08-29-2011
Mills, Randall Tennessee Marshall 2000 2014 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 20 years 11 43 White Male 2011 04-08-2014
Purnell, Mark Delaware New Castle 2008 2022 Murder Term of Years 43 years 14 16 Black Male 2008 2022 06-06-2022
Vann, Gussie Tennessee McMinn 1994 2011 Murder Death 0 40 White Male 1994 03-13-2012
Watkins, Joyce Tennessee Davidson 1988 2022 Murder Life 27 39 Black Female 2015 01-24-2022
Worden, George IV Tennessee Sumner 2020 2024 Drug Possession or Sale Term of Years 60 days 0 28 White Male 2020 08-16-2024