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: 19
Select More Columns:
Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Term of Years Years lost Age Race Sex Year of recantation Date of Release Posting Date
Abbott, Stearns Kendall Massachusetts Middlesex 1880 1911 Murder Death 31 40 White Male 1911
Banks, Jerry Georgia Henry 1975 1980 Murder Death 6 23 Black Male 1980
Brown, Joseph Shabaka Green Florida Hillsborough 1974 1987 Murder Death 13 24 Black Male 1987
Carter, Nathaniel New York Queens 1982 1984 Murder Term of Years 25 years to life 2 30 Black Male 1984
Cooks, Tony California Los Angeles 1981 1986 Murder Term of Years 15 years to life 5 17 Black Male 1986
Featherstone, Francis T. New York New York 1986 1986 Murder Term of Years 25 years to life 0 38 White Male 1986
Ferrer, Terrence New York Bronx 1973 1986 Murder Term of Years 15 years to life 13 18 Hispanic Male 1986 06-12-2020
Garrett, Sammie Illinois Cook 1970 1976 Murder Term of Years 20 to 40 years 5 21 Black Male 1975
Goodwin, Paul Oklahoma Seminole 1936 1969 Murder Life 32 21 White Male 1969
Hall, Gordon R. California Los Angeles 1978 1982 Murder Life 3 16 Hispanic Male 1982
Hicks, Larry Indiana Lake 1978 1980 Murder Death 2 19 Black Male 1980
Holliday, Chester California San Diego 1981 1984 Murder Term of Years 3 years 3 51 Black Male 1984 02-28-2020
Jones, Tom Bell 1935 1938 Murder Death 3 20 White Male 1938
Majczek, Joseph Illinois Cook 1933 1946 Murder Term of Years 99 years 12 24 White Male 1945
Olson, Henry Illinois Winnebago 1928 1928 Murder Term of Years Life 0 26 Don't Know Male 1928
Phillips, Richard Virginia City of Hampton 1900 1930 Murder Death 31 Black Male 1930
Sullivan, Melvin Illinois Cook 1979 1987 Murder Term of Years 20 years 7 27 White Male 1987 12-07-2020
Torres, Pedro Texas Harris 1985 1985 Murder Term of Years 75 years 0 37 Hispanic Male 1985
Vargas, Anastacio Texas Bexar 1926 1929 Murder Life 4 33 Hispanic Male 1929