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: 8
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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
Daniels, Elmer Delaware New Castle 1980 2018 Child Sex Abuse Life 39 18 Black Male 2018 12-17-2018
Gonzales-Barboza, Juan Carlos Kentucky Henderson 1996 2017 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 5 years 1 23 Hispanic Male 1997 12-06-2017
Hostetler, Daniel Kentucky Hart 2013 2019 Manslaughter Term of Years 13 years 6 18 White Male 2019 01-02-2020
Hurt, Paul Kentucky Jefferson 2001 2019 Child Sex Abuse Life 18 25 White Male 2015 2019 12-09-2019
Plotnick, Samuel Kentucky Whitley 2001 2008 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 20 years 7 28 White Male 2006 2008 12-29-2012
Purnell, Mark Delaware New Castle 2008 2022 Murder Term of Years 43 years 14 16 Black Male 2008 2022 06-06-2022
Smith, Timothy Kentucky Kenton 2001 2006 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 20 years 5 35 White Male 2006 08-29-2011
West, Keith Kentucky Jefferson 1995 2019 Murder Life 4 19 Black Male 2019 1998 01-20-2020