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: 16
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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
Abbitt, Joseph North Carolina Forsyth 1995 2009 Child Sex Abuse Life 14 31 Black Male 2009 09-01-2011
Alford, John North Carolina Mecklenburg 1975 1976 Murder Death 1 22 Black Male 1976 07-13-2022
Benton, John North Carolina Mecklenburg 1942 1943 Assault Term of Years 15 years 1 15 Black Male 1943 04-01-2021
Blackmon, James North Carolina Wake 1988 2019 Murder Life 32 26 Black Male 2019 09-03-2019
Brown, Keith North Carolina Wilson 1993 1999 Sexual Assault Term of Years 35 years 4 25 Black Male 1997 08-29-2011
Brown, Knolly Jr. North Carolina Edgecomb 2009 2016 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 5 to 6 3/4 years 4 37 Black Male 2013 10-26-2016
Cotton, Ronald North Carolina Alamance 1985 1995 Sexual Assault Life 10 22 Black Male 1995 08-29-2011
Dail, Dwayne Allen North Carolina Wayne 1989 2007 Child Sex Abuse Life 18 17 White Male 2007 08-29-2011
Grimes, Willie North Carolina Catawba 1988 2012 Sexual Assault Life 24 41 Black Male 2012 10-08-2012
Hefner, Cecil North Carolina Burke 1920 1921 Murder Term of Years 15 years 0 White Male 1921
Moreno, Noe North Carolina Mecklenburg 2007 2012 Murder Term of Years 18 to 22 years 5 26 Hispanic Male 2012 09-03-2012
Shaw, Willie Jr. North Carolina Mecklenburg 2016 2021 Other Violent Felony Term of Years 8 2/3 to 11 5/12 5 43 Black Male 2019 2021 02-16-2021
Shelton, Horace North Carolina Buncombe 2012 2014 Forgery Term of Years 10 7/12 to 13 1/2 years 2 51 Black Male 2014 11-28-2016
Shreve, Thomas North Carolina Onslow 1988 1989 Threats Probation 0 31 White Male 1988 04-14-2015
Snipes, Steven North Carolina Lee 1998 2003 Robbery Term of Years 7 years and 6 months 5 35 Black Male 2003 08-29-2011
Waters, Leo North Carolina Onslow 1982 2003 Sexual Assault Life 21 30 White Male 2003 08-29-2011