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
Acosta, Luis Santaliz Puerto Rico Mayaguez 2000 2009 Murder Term of Years 148 years 9 34 Hispanic Male 2009 10-10-2012
Caro, Jose Puerto Rico Aguadilla 1994 2016 Murder Life 22 27 Hispanic Male 1995 2016 10-13-2016
Engesser, Oakley South Dakota Meade 2001 2015 Manslaughter Term of Years 25 years 12 41 White Male 2013 01-13-2015
Gonzalez, David South Dakota Lawrence 1999 2001 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 1 year and 6 months 2 33 Hispanic Male 2001 04-06-2014
Hicks, Edward L. Fed-MO 1921 1924 Possession of Stolen Property Term of Years 2 years 3 Don't Know Male 1924
Holmes, Michael Fed-MO (Eastern) 2006 2011 Drug Possession or Sale Term of Years 25 years 5 44 Black Male 2011 03-28-2016
Jones, Stephen Fed-MO (Eastern) 1998 2010 Drug Possession or Sale Term of Years 20 years 12 23 Black Male 2010 02-05-2012
Letcher, Donald South Dakota McCook 1995 1996 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 5 years 1 29 White Male 1996 03-31-2014
Montgomery, Melvin Fed-MO (Western) 1995 1997 Drug Possession or Sale Term of Years 6 years and 6 months 2 31 Black Male 1996 08-24-2014
Morales, Robert Anel Diaz Puerto Rico Humacao 2004 2012 Murder Term of Years 172 years 8 20 Hispanic Male 2012 12-07-2012
Ortiz, Nelson Puerto Rico Aguadilla 1994 2016 Murder Life 22 18 Hispanic Male 1995 2016 10-13-2016
Rivera, Jonathan Puerto Rico San Juan 2007 2008 Murder Life 1 22 Hispanic Male 2008 08-29-2011
Rome, Anthony Jr. South Dakota Minnehaha 1987 1990 Kidnapping Probation 0 47 White Male 1987 03-18-2014
Ruiz, Nelson Puerto Rico Aguadilla 1994 2016 Murder Life 22 20 Hispanic Male 1995 2016 10-13-2016
Slota, Frederick South Dakota Brown 2014 2019 Child Sex Abuse Term of Years 30 years 3 41 White Male 2017 02-19-2019
Street, John Fed-MO (Western) 2006 2009 Murder Life without parole 0 36 White Male 2008 2006 08-24-2014