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: 426
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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
Ward, Joseph Massachusetts Suffolk 1895 1896 Theft Term of Years 5 years 1 20 Don't Know Male 1896
Ward, William Alabama Tuscaloosa 1975 1977 Manslaughter Term of Years 10 years 1 21 Black Male 1977
Watson, Robert Lamar Florida Polk 1965 1965 Robbery Term of Years 10 years 0 24 White Male 1965
Weaver, Joseph Ohio Cuyahoga 1927 1929 Murder Death 2 33 Black Male 1929
Weir, John Oklahoma Comanche 1986 1987 Sexual Assault Term of Years 51 years 1 22 White Male 1987 01-09-2020
Welcome, Ernest New York Bronx 1970 1977 Murder Term of Years 25 years to life 8 20 Black Male 1977 03-30-2021
Wellmon, William Iredell 1942 1943 Sexual Assault Death 1 36 Black Male 1943
Whitmore, George Jr. New York Kings 1966 1973 Sexual Assault Term of Years 5 to 10 years 7 20 Black Male 1973
Wilbur, Raymond Rhode Island Providence 1969 1974 Other Nonviolent Felony Term of Years 15 years 4 28 Don't Know Male 1974 01-09-2023
Wilkinson, Robert Pennsylvania Philadelphia 1976 1977 Murder Not Sentenced 1 26 White Male 1977
Wilks, Calvin Hinds 1981 1984 Murder Life 4 21 Don't Know Male 1984
Williams, Clarence Von Texas Orange 1981 1981 Sexual Assault Term of Years 50 years 0 40 White Male 1981
Williams, George Onslow 1922 1928 Murder Death 5 Black Male 1928
Williams, Maurice Missouri St. Louis 1984 1984 Robbery Term of Years 25 years 0 30 Black Male 1984 11-23-2020
Williamson, Jack Florida Broward 1933 1942 Murder Death 9 19 Black Male 1942 02-11-2021
Willis, James Sacramento 1927 1927 Robbery Term of Years 5 years to life 0 27 Don't Know Male 1927
Wilson, David Florida Miami-Dade 1967 1971 Murder Term of Years 20 years 4 23 Black Male 1971
Wilson, Horace New Jersey Mercer 1948 1951 Murder Death 3 37 Black Male 1951
Wilson, William Blount 1915 1918 Murder Life 3 38 White Male 1918
Wood, Sidney California Los Angeles 1924 1925 Robbery Term of Years 5 years to life 1 White Male 1925
Woods, William Fed-AR (Western) 1888 1889 Murder Death 0 20 White Male 1889
Woodward, Walter Florida Broward 1933 1942 Murder Death 9 32 Black Male 1942 02-11-2021
Yelder, George Alabama Lowndes 1928 1928 Murder Life 0 55 Black Male 1928
Zajicek, Herman Illinois Cook 1907 1917 Murder Death 9 39 White Male 1917
Zambino, Luigi New Jersey Mercer 1906 1909 Forgery Term of Years 6 years 3 White Male 1909
Zimmerman, Isidore New York New York 1938 1962 Murder Death 24 19 White Male 1962 02-28-2019