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: 18
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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
Bauer, Chester Montana Silver Bow 1983 1997 Sexual Assault Term of Years 30 years 14 26 White Male 1997 08-29-2011
Bolden, Abraham Fed-IL (Northern) 1964 2022 Bribery Term of Years 6 years 3 29 Black Male 1965 1967 05-06-2022
Bromgard, Jimmy Ray Montana Yellowstone 1987 2002 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 40 years 15 18 White Male 2002 08-29-2011
Burkhart, Richard Montana Cascade 2002 2017 Murder Life 15 22 White Male 2014 2017 01-07-2018
Burnside, Thomas Fed-IL (Northern) 1991 1994 Drug Possession or Sale Not Sentenced 2 41 Black Male 1994 12-08-2014
Catton, James Fed-IL (Central) 1994 2004 Fraud Term of Years 1 year and 9 months 0 43 White Male 1994 10-06-2014
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
Eskew, Jasmine Montana Cascade 2014 2017 Child Abuse Term of Years 5 years 3 21 White Female 2017 01-25-2018
Ghostbear, Edward Montana Hill 2012 2020 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 5 years 3 34 Native American Male 2015 07-20-2021
Griffin, Codell Fed-IL (Northern) 1991 1994 Drug Possession or Sale Not Sentenced 3 41 Black Male 1994 12-08-2014
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
Kordonowy, Paul D. Montana Richland 1990 2003 Sexual Assault Term of Years 30 years 0 24 White Male 1990 08-29-2011
Locke, Ruben Fed-IL (Northern) 1998 2000 Drug Possession or Sale Not Sentenced 0 35 Black Male 1998 08-29-2011
Raugust, Richard Montana Sanders 1998 2016 Murder Life 18 31 White Male 2001* 2015 09-12-2016
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
Ruiz-Cortez, Refugio Fed-IL (Northern) 1999 2010 Drug Possession or Sale Term of Years 17 1/2 years 10 29 Hispanic Male 2010 11-06-2012