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: 12
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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
Ala, Kadafi New York Kings 2001 2021 Attempt, Violent Term of Years 21 years 18 20 Black Male 2018 07-16-2021
Bunge, Charles New York Kings 2007 2010 Attempt, Violent Term of Years 6 years 3 38 White Male 2010 07-01-2013
Cheung, Kum Yet California Alameda 1995 2002 Attempt, Violent Term of Years 29 years and 8 months 7 29 Asian Male 2002 06-21-2012
Fitzgerald, John Fed-CA (Southern) 2007 2009 Tax Evasion/Fraud Not Sentenced 0 40 White Male 2007 08-29-2011
Hadaway, Sammy Wisconsin Milwaukee 1996 2018 Attempt, Violent Term of Years 5 years 3 20 Black Male 1999 10-09-2018
McLaughlin, Mark Fed-PA (Eastern) 1996 2000 Tax Evasion/Fraud Not Sentenced 0 30 White Male 1998 1996 08-29-2011
McLaughlin, Russell Fed-PA (Eastern) 1996 1998 Tax Evasion/Fraud Not Sentenced 3 36 White Male 1998 1998 08-29-2011
Nolan, Ralph Fed-NY (Southern) 2015 2021 Attempt, Violent Term of Years 10 years 5 25 White Male 2020 05-27-2021
Owens, Phillip New York Monroe 2013 2018 Attempt, Violent Term of Years 11 to 13 years 5 26 Black Male 2018 09-20-2022
Risha, Jesse Fed-PA (Western) 2004 2006 Attempt, Violent Not Sentenced 0 47 White Male 2004 08-29-2011
Smith, Paul California Orange 2010 2022 Attempt, Violent Term of Years 4 years and 8 months 1 49 White Male 2011 09-13-2022
Yates, Michael Indiana Howard 2009 2023 Attempt, Violent Term of Years 20 years 1 25 Black Male 2010 03-07-2023