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: 15
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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
Choy, Frances Massachusetts Plymouth 2011 2020 Murder Life without parole 9 17 Asian Female 2020 10-11-2020
Dunn, Lisa Kansas Thomas 1985 1992 Murder Life without parole 7 18 White Female 1992 12-07-2023
Figueroa, Fancy New York Queens 1997 2004 Filing a False Report Community Service 0 16 Hispanic Female 1997 07-26-2014
Hansen, Lisa Michigan Kent 2006 2006 Theft Community Service 0 25 White Female 2006 08-29-2011
Hemme, Sandra Missouri Buchanan 1981 2024 Murder Life without parole 43 20 White Female 2024 12-17-2024
Jones, Lydia Diane Alabama Jefferson 2000 2006 Drug Possession or Sale Life without parole 6 40 Black Female 2006 08-24-2014
Mellen, Susan California Los Angeles 1998 2014 Murder Life without parole 16 42 White Female 2014 10-10-2014
Murphy, Michelle Oklahoma Tulsa 1995 2014 Murder Life without parole 19 17 Native American Female 2014 09-20-2014
O'Dell, Karen Florida Manatee 1998 2000 Drug Possession or Sale Community Service 0 37 White Female 2000 1998 07-15-2012
Overton, Hannah Texas Nueces 2007 2015 Murder Life without parole 7 29 White Female 2014 04-10-2015
Rigel, Sierra Oregon Curry 2011 2014 Manslaughter Community Service 0 17 White Female 2011 08-24-2014
Tanner, Hattie Michigan Calhoun 2000 2018 Murder Life without parole 17 35 Black Female 2017 04-03-2018
Weaver, Mary Iowa Marshall 1994 1997 Murder Life without parole 2 41 White Female 1996 07-29-2012
Woods, Cathy Nevada Washoe 1980 2015 Murder Life without parole 34 26 White Female 2014 03-09-2015
Wright, Summer Texas Harris 2013 2015 Drug Possession or Sale Community Service 0 20 Black Female 2013 11-02-2015