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: 23
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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
Abbott, Stearns Kendall Massachusetts Middlesex 1880 1911 Murder Death 31 40 White Male 1911
Andrews, Herbert Massachusetts Suffolk 1914 1914 Forgery Term of Years 1.17 years 0 White Male 1914
Biddings, Darrell Fed-IL 1975 1976 Kidnapping Not Sentenced 1 21 Black Male 1976
Cero, Gangi Massachusetts Suffolk 1927 1930 Murder Death 3 21 White Male 1930
Chance, John H. Massachusetts Suffolk 1899 1911 Murder Life 12 31 Don't Know Male 1911
Collins, Benjamin Massachusetts Middlesex 1928 1928 Robbery Term of Years 2.5 to 3.5 years 0 48 Don't Know Male 1928
Davis, Rennie Fed-IL (Northern) 1970 1973 Other Nonviolent Felony Term of Years 5 years and $5,000 fine 0 28 White Male 1970 02-11-2023
Dellinger, David Fed-IL (Northern) 1970 1973 Other Nonviolent Felony Term of Years 5 years and $5,000 fine 0 52 White Male 1970 02-11-2023
Dudley, Herbert S. Massachusetts Suffolk 1911 1912 Burglary/Unlawful Entry Term of Years 4 to 6 years 1 White Male 1912
Ellison, Ella Mae Massachusetts Suffolk 1974 1978 Murder Life 4 27 Black Female 1978
Fields, John W. Massachusetts Essex 1892 1892 Burglary/Unlawful Entry Term of Years 2.5 years 1 19 Don't Know Male 1892 01-18-2019
Fitzgerald, John Massachusetts Suffolk 1904 1904 Sexual Assault Term of Years 3 to 5 years 0 22 White Male 1904
Grace, Frank Parky Massachusetts Bristol 1974 1988 Murder Life 11 29 Black Male 1985
Hayden, Thomas Fed-IL (Northern) 1970 1973 Other Nonviolent Felony Term of Years 5 years and $5,000 fine 0 28 White Male 1970 02-11-2023
Hoffman, Abbie Fed-IL (Northern) 1970 1973 Other Nonviolent Felony Term of Years 5 years and $5,000 fine 0 29 White Male 1970 02-11-2023
Johnson, Lawyer Massachusetts Suffolk 1972 1982 Murder Death 10 20 Black Male 1982
Leaster, Bobby Joe Massachusetts Suffolk 1971 1986 Murder Life 16 21 Black Male 1986
McManus, John Massachusetts Suffolk 1911 1912 Robbery Term of Years 3 years 1 Don't Know Male 1912
Reissfelder, George Massachusetts Suffolk 1967 1982 Murder Life 10 26 White Male 1977
Rubin, Jerry Fed-IL (Northern) 1970 1973 Other Nonviolent Felony Term of Years 5 years and $5,000 fine 0 30 White Male 1970 02-11-2023
Taylor, Harold Massachusetts Suffolk 1927 1927 Robbery Term of Years 4 to 7 years 0 Don't Know Male 1927
Usher, Cornelius Massachusetts Essex 1902 1904 Burglary/Unlawful Entry Term of Years 3 to 5 years 2 Don't Know Male 1904
Ward, Joseph Massachusetts Suffolk 1895 1896 Theft Term of Years 5 years 1 20 Don't Know Male 1896