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
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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
Coker, Edgar Virginia Stafford 2007 2014 Sexual Assault Term of Years 1 year and 5 months 2 15 Black Male 2007 2009 03-03-2014
Copeland, Darrell A. Virginia Chesapeake City 2007 2008 Weapon Possession or Sale Term of Years 5 years 1 18 Black Male 2008 08-29-2011
Dixon, Malvester Jr. Virginia Martinsville City 2005 2006 Accessory to Murder Not Sentenced 0 51 Black Male 2005 2005 08-18-2018
Duffy, Keshawn Virginia Hampton City 2019 2024 Child Sex Abuse Life without parole 5 34 Black Male 2020 2024 09-15-2024
Harper, William Virginia Norfolk 1931 1931 Sexual Assault Death 0 22 Black Male 1931
Johnson, Joshua Virginia Alexandria City 2021 2023 Sexual Assault Term of Years 3 years and 6 months 0 29 Black Male 2022 2021 10-05-2023
Lawton, Steven Virginia Newport News City 1990 1997 Sexual Assault Term of Years 72 years 6 37 Black Male 1996 1997 02-18-2016
McCray, Brian Virginia Norfolk City 1993 1994 Murder Term of Years 43 years 1 24 Black Male 1994 10-12-2011
McLean, Keyiede Virginia Arlington 2023 2025 Theft Fine 0 45 Black Female 2023 02-07-2025
Merritt, Gilbert III Virginia Norfolk City 2001 2024 Murder Term of Years 30 years 20 22 Black Male 2019 2022 04-04-2024
Moore, Curtis Virginia Greensville 1978 2010 Murder Life 3 32 Black Male 1981 08-29-2011
Phillips, Richard Virginia City of Hampton 1900 1930 Murder Death 31 Black Male 1930
Prince, Christopher E. Virginia Culpeper 1994 1995 Burglary/Unlawful Entry Term of Years 6 to 12 years 1 18 Black Male 1995 1995 08-29-2011
Thomas, Maverick Virginia Martinsville City 2005 2006 Murder Life 1 31 Black Male 2005 2006 08-18-2018
Thorne, Esther Virginia Norfolk City 2014 2020 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 17 years 6 45 Black Female 2015 2020 09-17-2020
Washington, Earl Jr. Virginia Culpeper 1984 2000 Murder Death 17 22 Black Male 2000 08-29-2011
Watford, Roy III Virginia Portsmouth City 1978 2018 Child Sex Abuse Probation 0 18 Black Male 1978 03-08-2018
White, Curtis Virginia Loudoun 1993 1994 Murder Not Sentenced 1 31 Black Male 1994 03-11-2013
Wilson, Elon Virginia Fairfax 2019 2021 Weapon Possession or Sale Term of Years 3 years and 1 month 2 23 Black Male 2021 11-12-2024