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: 17
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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
Barnett, Nathaniel West Virginia Cabell 2008 2021 Murder Term of Years 36 years 7 19 White Male 2018 2016 10-25-2021
Barnett, Phillip West Virginia Cabell 2008 2021 Murder Term of Years 40 years 10 22 White Male 2018 2018 10-25-2021
Beale, Clyde West Virginia Mingo 1926 1949 Murder Death 3 26 White Male 1929
Beard, Jacob West Virginia Pocahontas 1993 2000 Murder Life without parole 6 34 White Male 1999 07-30-2012
Black, Justin West Virginia Cabell 2008 2021 Murder Term of Years 40 years 10 19 White Male 2018 2018 10-25-2021
Davis, Dewey West Virginia Kanawha 1987 1995 Sexual Assault Term of Years 10 to 20 years 8 53 White Male 1995 08-29-2011
Davis, Gerald West Virginia Kanawha 1986 1995 Sexual Assault Term of Years 14 to 35 years 9 26 White Male 1995 08-29-2011
Gardner, Jimmie West Virginia Kanawha 1990 2016 Sexual Assault Term of Years 33 to life 26 20 Black Male 2016 09-15-2016
Hicks, Edward L. Fed-MO 1921 1924 Possession of Stolen Property Term of Years 2 years 3 Don't Know Male 1924
Holmes, Michael Fed-MO (Eastern) 2006 2011 Drug Possession or Sale Term of Years 25 years 5 44 Black Male 2011 03-28-2016
Hurt, Davie West Virginia Mercer 1998 2014 Murder Life 13 17 Black Male 1998 2011 08-24-2014
Jones, Stephen Fed-MO (Eastern) 1998 2010 Drug Possession or Sale Term of Years 20 years 12 23 Black Male 2010 02-05-2012
Lively, Charles Jason West Virginia McDowell 2006 2020 Murder Life 14 27 White Male 2020 10-12-2020
Montgomery, Melvin Fed-MO (Western) 1995 1997 Drug Possession or Sale Term of Years 6 years and 6 months 2 31 Black Male 1996 08-24-2014
Richardson, James E. Jr. West Virginia Kanawha 1989 1999 Murder Life 7 36 White Male 1996 08-29-2011
Street, John Fed-MO (Western) 2006 2009 Murder Life without parole 0 36 White Male 2008 2006 08-24-2014
Thomas, Marvin West Virginia Wood 1987 1993 Murder Life 6 20 White Male 1993 04-10-2013