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: 15
Select More Columns:
Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Term of Years Years lost Age Race Sex Year of recantation Date of Release Posting Date
Armstrong, Richard Michigan Otsego 2006 2012 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 14 to 30 years 6 25 White Male 2011 04-12-2012
Canter, Mark Michigan Otsego 1988 1996 Accessory to Murder Life 7 22 White Male 1989 1996 08-29-2011
Heistand, Donald Michigan Otsego 1989 2002 Accessory to Murder Term of Years 3 to 5 years 2 29 White Male 1995 1991 01-19-2012
Klages, Kathie Michigan Ingham 2020 2022 Obstruction of Justice Term of Years 90 days 1 62 White Female 2020 04-06-2023
Moore, Laurie Michigan Otsego 1987 1991 Manslaughter Term of Years 7 to 15 years 3 33 White Male 1991 04-23-2016
Moore, Walter Michigan Otsego 1988 1996 Murder Life 7 37 White Male 1995 1996 08-29-2011
Perry, Charles Jr. Michigan Oakland 1990 1996 Sexual Assault Term of Years 20 to 40 years 4 29 White Male 1991 1995 04-29-2020
Perry, James Norman Michigan Oakland 2006 2008 Child Sex Abuse Not Sentenced 0 31 White Male 2007 08-29-2011
Peterson, Jamie Lee Michigan Kalkaska 1998 2014 Murder Life without parole 16 21 White Male 2014 09-09-2014
Poole, Gilbert Jr. Michigan Oakland 1989 2021 Murder Life without parole 32 23 White Male 2021 06-18-2021
Sadowski, Jason Michigan Marquette 2014 2017 Other Violent Felony Term of Years 40 to 80 years 3 43 White Male 2017 04-03-2017
Sawyer, Thomas Michigan Hillsdale 1992 2003 Sexual Assault Term of Years 22 to 32 years 0 49 White Male 1992 12-04-2012
Souter, Larry Pat Michigan Newaygo 1992 2005 Murder Term of Years 20 to 60 years 13 26 White Male 1999 2005 08-29-2011
Swain, Lorinda Michigan Calhoun 2002 2016 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 25 to 50 years 7 36 White Female 2002 2009 05-24-2016
Wyniemko, Kenneth Michigan Macomb 1994 2003 Sexual Assault Term of Years 40 to 60 years 9 42 White Male 2003 08-29-2011