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: 1312
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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
Wirkkala, Luke Oregon Deschutes 2014 2021 Murder Life 7 32 White Male 2021 04-28-2021
Witt, Drayton Arizona Maricopa 2002 2012 Murder Term of Years 20 years 10 18 White Male 2012 2012 11-01-2012
Wong, David New York Clinton 1987 2004 Murder Term of Years 25 to Life 17 23 Asian Male 2001 2004 08-29-2011
Woodard, James Lee Texas Dallas 1981 2008 Murder Life 27 26 Black Male DK 2008 08-29-2011
Woods, William Fed-AR (Western) 1888 1889 Murder Death 0 20 White Male 1889
Woodworth, Mark Missouri Livingston 1995 2014 Murder Term of Years 31 years 19 16 White Male 2014 07-23-2014
Woolfolk, Michael Georgia Fulton 2004 2021 Murder Life without parole 17 23 Black Male 2021 05-22-2021
Wright, Cleveland District of Columbia 1979 2014 Murder Term of Years 20 to Life 27 20 Black Male 2007 02-03-2014
Yanez, Jose Illinois Rock Island 2020 2024 Murder Term of Years 15 years 2 28 Hispanic Male 2022 12-05-2024
Yelder, George Alabama Lowndes 1928 1928 Murder Life 0 55 Black Male 1928
Zajicek, Herman Illinois Cook 1907 1917 Murder Death 9 39 White Male 1917
Zimmerman, Isidore New York New York 1938 1962 Murder Death 24 19 White Male 1962 02-28-2019