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 ALL of those words. So adding more search terms will narrow the search. Terms with fewer than three characters (e.g., "IQ") are ignored in searches. Searches can be further narrowed by using "quotation marks" to search for exact phrases. Keywords both inside and outside quotation marks can be combined. And, truncated words can be entered: the term "discrim" will return all variants on that root. No "wildcards," such as "*" are necessary for truncation.

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 Understanding the Registry, 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.

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Total records: 14
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Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Years lost Age Race Sex Date of Release Posting Date
Barrientos-Quintana, Edgar Minnesota Hennepin 2009 2024 Murder Life without parole 15.4 25 Hispanic Male 2024 12-05-2024
Black Elk, Cassandra North Dakota Burleigh 2022 2023 Child Abuse 1 year and 6 months 0.7 26 Native American Female 2023 11-08-2023
Burkhart, Richard Montana Cascade 2002 2017 Murder Life 15.3 22 White Male 2017 01-07-2018
Curry, Albert Fed-SD 2002 2003 Sexual Assault Not Sentenced 0.6 41 Black Male 2002 08-29-2011
Frese, George Alaska Fairbanks 1999 2015 Murder 40 years 16.8 20 Native American Male 2015 12-24-2015
Ghostbear, Edward Montana Hill 2012 2020 Child Sex Abuse 5 years 2.6 34 Native American Male 2015 07-20-2021
Goldenstein, Paulene Minnesota Hennepin 1992 1994 Child Sex Abuse 10 years 1.5 42 White Female 1993 03-09-2016
Goldenstein, Ronald Minnesota Hennepin 1992 1994 Child Sex Abuse 10 years 1.5 51 White Male 1993 03-09-2016
James, Ernestine Fed-WA (Western) 1995 1999 Manslaughter Probation 0 42 Native American Female 1995 06-11-2014
Lewis, George Minnesota Hennepin 1988 1991 Sexual Assault 12 years and 8 months 3.0 28 Black Male 1991 10-28-2014
Pease, Kevin Alaska Fairbanks 1999 2015 Murder 60 years 16.3 19 Native American Male 2015 12-24-2015
Roberts, Marvin Alaska Fairbanks 1999 2015 Murder 33 years 15.8 19 Native American Male 2015 12-24-2015
Vent, Eugene Alaska Fairbanks 1999 2015 Murder 38 years 16.4 17 Native American Male 2015 12-24-2015
White, Michael New York Erie 2006 2015 Sexual Assault 5 years 5.3 35 Native American Male 2011 05-20-2015