NOT A STRAND OF EVIDENCE

DNA Exonerations
Involving Unvalidated
or Improper Microscopic Hair
Comparison Evidence

For more information, please contact:

Daniel Penchina dpenchina@rabengroup.com 202-223-0639
Katharine Huffman khuffman@rabengroup.com 202-466-2479
April 2015

Table of Contents Organized by State

California.............................................. 3
Peter Rose...................................................... 3
District of Columbia....................... 3
Donald Eugene Gates................................... 3
Kirk Odom.................................................... 3
Santae Tribble................................................ 3
Florida...................................................... 4
Alan Crotzer.................................................. 4
Wilton Dedge................................................ 4
Georgia..................................................... 4
John Jerome White....................................... 4
Idaho.......................................................... 4
Charles Irvin Fain......................................... 4
Illinois...................................................... 5
Kenneth Adams ........................................... 5
Gary Dotson.................................................. 5
David A. Gray............................................... 5
Paula Gray..................................................... 5
Verneal Jimerson.......................................... 6
Steven Linscott.............................................. 6
Calvin Ollins................................................. 6
Larry Ollins................................................... 6
Willie Rainge................................................. 7
Omar Saunders............................................. 7
Bennie Starks................................................ 7
Dennis Williams........................................... 7
Kentucky................................................. 8
William Gregory........................................... 8
Louisiana................................................. 8
Clyde Charles................................................ 8
Anthony Johnson......................................... 8

Massachusetts.................................... 8
Eduardo Velasquez....................................... 8
Michigan.................................................. 9
Nathaniel Hatchett....................................... 9
Missouri.................................................... 9
Johnny Briscoe.............................................. 9
Montana.................................................. 9
Chester Bauer................................................ 9
Jimmy Ray Bromgard................................... 9
Paul D. Kordonowy.................................... 10
North Carolina................................ 10
Dwayne Allen Dail..................................... 10
Joseph Sledge............................................... 10
New Jersey............................................. 10
Larry Peterson............................................. 10
New York................................................ 11
Habib Wahir Abdal (Vincent Jenkins)..... 11
Steven Barnes.............................................. 11
Dennis Halstead......................................... 11
John Kogut.................................................. 11
Antron McCray........................................... 12
John Restivo................................................ 12
Kevin Richardson....................................... 12
Yusef Salaam............................................... 12
Raymond Santana....................................... 13
Kharey Wise................................................ 13
Ohio........................................................... 13
Michael Green............................................. 13
Raymond Towler........................................ 13

Oklahoma............................................. 14
David Johns Bryson................................... 14
Sedrick Courtney........................................ 14
Timothy Durham....................................... 14
Dennis Fritz................................................. 14
Curtis McCarthy......................................... 15
Robert Miller............................................... 15
Jeffrey Pierce................................................ 15
Calvin Lee Scott.......................................... 15
Thomas Webb............................................. 16
Ron Williamson.......................................... 16
Pennsylvania....................................... 16
Dale Brison.................................................. 16
Willie Nesmith............................................ 16
Drew Whitley.............................................. 17
Texas......................................................... 17
Michael Blair............................................... 17
Timothy Cole.............................................. 17
Richard Danziger........................................ 17
Brandon Moon............................................ 18
Michael Morton.......................................... 18
George Rodriguez....................................... 18
James Waller................................................ 18
Virginia................................................... 19
Victor Burnette........................................... 19
Calvin Wayne Cunningham...................... 19
Willie Davidson.......................................... 19
Edward Honaker......................................... 19
Walter Snyder.............................................. 20
David Vasquez............................................ 20
Wisconsin.............................................. 20
Steven Avery................................................ 20
Anthony Hicks............................................ 20
Fredric Saecker........................................... 21
West Virginia...................................... 21
Glen Woodall.............................................. 21

For additional information regarding these exoneration cases, please visit the Innocence Projects website at www.innocenceproject.org
These cases represent the DNA exonerations in which hair comparison evidence was used in the initial case. The Innocence Project was involved in many of
the DNA exonerations profiled here. Others were helped by Innocence Network organizations, public defender organizations, and private attorneys.

Innocence Project:
NOT A STRAND OF EVIDENCE

Peter Rose
California

THE FACTS
InCIdEnt datE: 11/29/94
JurIsdICtIon: CA

9 years served

ChargE: Rape, Kidnapping, Forced Oral Copulation

Exoneration year:
2005

ConvICtIon datE: 11/3/95

ContrIbutIng faCtors:

ConvICtIon: Rape, Kidnapping, Forced Oral Copulation

ExonEratIon datE: 2/18/05
sEntEnCE: 27 years

unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
misidentification

sErvEd: 9 years

Donald
Eugene Gates

THE FACTS

district of Columbia

ChargE: First-degree felony murder while armed,

27 years served
Exoneration year:
2009
ContrIbutIng faCtors:

unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Informants

Kirk Odom
district of Columbia
21.5 years served
Exoneration year:
2012
ContrIbutIng faCtors:

unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
misidentification

rEal PErPEtrator found: No

ComPEnsatIon: Civil Suit, State Statute

InCIdEnt datE: 6/22/81

JurIsdICtIon: DC

rape while armed, carrying a pistol without a license

ConvICtIon: First-degree felony murder while armed,
rape while armed, carrying a pistol without a license
ConvICtIon datE: 9/16/82
ExonEratIon datE: 12/18/09
sEntEnCE: 20 to life
sErvEd: 27 years
rEal PErPEtrator found: No
ComPEnsatIon: State Statute

THE FACTS
InCIdEnt datE: 2/24/81
JurIsdICtIon: DC
ChargE: Rape while armed, sodomy, armed robbery,

first degree burglary while armed

ConvICtIon: Rape while armed, sodomy, armed robbery,

first degree burglary while armed

ConvICtIon datE: 9/9/81

ExonEratIon datE: 7/13/12
sEntEnCE: 20-66 years
sErvEd: 21.5 years
rEal PErPEtrator found: yes
ComPEnsatIon: Not yet

Santae Tribble
district of Columbia
23 years served

Innocence Project:
NOT A STRAND OF EVIDENCE

THE FACTS
InCIdEnt datE: 7/26/78
JurIsdICtIon: DC
ChargE: Felony murder, armed robbery
ConvICtIon: Felony murder, armed robbery

Exoneration year:
2012

ConvICtIon datE: 1/21/80

ContrIbutIng faCtors:

sErvEd: 23 years

unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Informants

ComPEnsatIon: Not yet

ExonEratIon datE: 9/27/12

sEntEnCE: 20 years to life
rEal PErPEtrator found: No

Alan Crotzer
florida

THE FACTS
InCIdEnt datE: 7/8/81
JurIsdICtIon: Fl

24 years served

ChargE: Sexual battery, Kidnapping, burglary,

Exoneration year:
2006

ConvICtIon: Sexual battery, Kidnapping, burglary,

ContrIbutIng faCtors:

ExonEratIon datE: 1/23/06

unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
misidentification

Aggravated Assault, burglary, Robbery, Attempted Robbery

Aggravated Assault, burglary, Robbery, Attempted Robbery

ConvICtIon datE: 4/22/81

sEntEnCE: 130 years
sErvEd: 24 years
rEal PErPEtrator found: No
ComPEnsatIon: Private bill

Wilton Dedge
florida
22 years served

InCIdEnt datE: 12/8/81

JurIsdICtIon: Fl
ChargE: Sexual battery, Assault, burglary
ConvICtIon: Sexual battery, Aggravated battery, burglary

Exoneration year:
2004

ConvICtIon datE: 5/4/82

ContrIbutIng faCtors:

sErvEd: 22years

ExonEratIon datE: 8/12/04

sEntEnCE: life

michael David murphy

unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
misidentification, Informants

rEal PErPEtrator found: No

John Jerome
White

THE FACTS

georgia

ChargE: Rape, Aggravated Assault, burglary, Robbery

27 years served
Exoneration year:
2007
ContrIbutIng faCtors:

ComPEnsatIon: Private bill

InCIdEnt datE: 8/11/79

JurIsdICtIon: GA
ConvICtIon: Rape, Aggravated Assault, burglary, Robbery
ConvICtIon datE: 1/1/80
ExonEratIon datE: 12/10/07
sEntEnCE: life
sErvEd: 27 years
rEal PErPEtrator found: yes

unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
misidentification

ComPEnsatIon: Private bill

Charles
Irvin Fain

THE FACTS

Idaho

ChargE: murder, Rape, Kidnapping

17.5 years served

Exoneration year:
2001
ContrIbutIng faCtors:
Innocence Project:
NOT A STRAND OF EVIDENCE

THE FACTS

unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Informants

InCIdEnt datE: 2/24/82

JurIsdICtIon: ID
ConvICtIon: murder, Rape, Kidnapping
ConvICtIon datE: 11/4/83
ExonEratIon datE: 8/23/01
sEntEnCE: Death
sErvEd: 17.5 years
rEal PErPEtrator found: No
ComPEnsatIon: Not yet

Kenneth Adams
Illinois

InCIdEnt datE: 5/11/78

JurIsdICtIon: Il

17.5 years served

ChargE: murder, Rape

Exoneration year:
1996

ConvICtIon datE: 10/20/78

ContrIbutIng faCtors:

ConvICtIon: murder, Rape

ExonEratIon datE: 7/2/96
sEntEnCE: 75 years

unvalidated or Improper Forensic

Science, Eyewitness misidentification,
False Confessions or Admissions,
Informants

sErvEd: 17.5 years

Gary Dotson

THE FACTS

Illinois
10 years served

rEal PErPEtrator found: yes

ComPEnsatIon: Civil Suit, State Statute

InCIdEnt datE: 7/9/77

JurIsdICtIon: Il
ChargE: Aggravated Kidnapping, Rape
ConvICtIon: Aggravated Kidnapping, Rape

Exoneration year:
1989

ConvICtIon datE: 5/14/79

ContrIbutIng faCtors:

sErvEd: 10 years

ExonEratIon datE: 8/14/89

sEntEnCE: 25-50 years

unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
misidentification

rEal PErPEtrator found: No

David A. Gray

THE FACTS

Illinois
20 years served

ComPEnsatIon: Civil Suit

InCIdEnt datE: 3/29/78

JurIsdICtIon: Il
ChargE: Rape
ConvICtIon: Rape

Exoneration year:
1999

ConvICtIon datE: 10/2/78

ContrIbutIng faCtors:

sErvEd: 20 years

ExonEratIon datE: 6/23/99

sEntEnCE: 60 years

unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
misidentification, Informants

rEal PErPEtrator found: No

Paula Gray

THE FACTS

Illinois
9 years served

ComPEnsatIon: State Statute

InCIdEnt datE: 5/11/78

JurIsdICtIon: Il
ChargE: murder, Rape, Perjury
ConvICtIon: murder, Rape, Perjury

Exoneration year:
2002

ConvICtIon datE: 10/20/78

ContrIbutIng faCtors:

sErvEd: 9 years

unvalidated or Improper Forensic

Science, Eyewitness misidentification,
False Confessions or Admissions,
Inadequate Defense

Innocence Project:
NOT A STRAND OF EVIDENCE

THE FACTS

ExonEratIon datE: 11/15/02

sEntEnCE: 50 years
rEal PErPEtrator found: yes
ComPEnsatIon: Civil Suit, State Statute

Verneal
Jimerson
Illinois

Incident Date: 5/11/78

Jurisdiction: IL
Charge: Murder, Rape

10.5 years served

Conviction: Murder, Rape

Exoneration year:
1996

Exoneration Date: 6/24/96

Contributing factors: Unvalidated

Conviction Date: 11/7/85

Sentence: Death
Served: 10.5 years

or Improper Forensic Science,

Eyewitness Misidentification, False
Confessions or Admissions

Real Perpetrator Found: Yes

Steven
Linscott

THE FACTS

Illinois

Charge: Murder, Rape

3 years served
Exoneration year:
1992
Contributing factors:

Compensation: Civil Suit, State Statute

Incident Date: 10/4/80

Jurisdiction: IL
Conviction: Murder
Conviction Date: 6/16/82
Exoneration Date: 7/15/92
Sentence: 40 years
Served: 3 years
Real Perpetrator Found: No

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, False
Confessions or Admissions

Compensation: State Statute

Calvin Ollins

THE FACTS

Illinois
13.5 years served

Incident Date: 10/18/86

Jurisdiction: IL
Charge: Murder, Sexual Assault, Kidnapping
Conviction: Murder, Sexual Assault, Kidnapping

Exoneration year:
2001

Conviction Date: 2/9/88

Contributing factors:

Served: 13.5 years

Exoneration Date: 12/5/01

Sentence: Life

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, False
Confessions or Admissions

Real Perpetrator Found: Yes

Larry Ollins

THE FACTS

Illinois
13.5 years served
Exoneration year:
2001
Contributing factors:

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, False
Confessions or Admissions
Innocence Project:
NOT A STRAND OF EVIDENCE

THE FACTS

Compensation: Civil Suit, State Statute

Incident Date: 10/18/86

Jurisdiction: IL
Charge: Murder, Sexual Assault, Robbery, Kidnapping
Conviction: Murder, Agg. Criminal Sexual Assault,

Armed Robbery, Agg. Kidnapping

Conviction Date: 6/20/88

Exoneration Date: 12/5/01
Sentence: Life
Served: 13.5 years
Real Perpetrator Found: Yes
Compensation: Civil Suit

Willie Rainge
Illinois

InCIdEnt datE: 5/11/78

JurIsdICtIon: Il

17.5 years served

ChargE: murder, Rape

Exoneration year:
1996

ConvICtIon datE: 10/20/78

ContrIbutIng faCtors:

ConvICtIon: murder, Rape

ExonEratIon datE: 7/2/96
sEntEnCE: life w/o parole

unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
misidentification, False
Confessions or Admissions,
Inadequate Defense

sErvEd: 17.5 years

Omar Saunders

THE FACTS

Illinois
13.5 years served
Exoneration year: 2001
ContrIbutIng faCtors:

unvalidated or Improper Forensic

Science, False Confessions or
Admissions, Informants

Bennie Starks
Illinois
20 years served
Exoneration year:
2013
ContrIbutIng faCtors:

unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
misidentification

Dennis Williams
Illinois
17.5 years served

Innocence Project:
NOT A STRAND OF EVIDENCE

THE FACTS

rEal PErPEtrator found: yes

ComPEnsatIon: Civil Suit, State Statute

InCIdEnt datE: 10/18/86

JurIsdICtIon: Il
ChargE: murder, Robbery, Kidnapping, Sexual Assault
ConvICtIon: murder, Armed Robbery, Kidnapping,
Agg. Crim. Sexual Assault (2 cts.)
ConvICtIon datE: 5/10/88
ExonEratIon datE: 12/5/01
sEntEnCE: life
sErvEd: 13.5 years
rEal PErPEtrator found: yes
ComPEnsatIon: Civil Suit

THE FACTS
InCIdEnt datE: 1/18/86
JurIsdICtIon: Il
ChargE: Aggravated criminal sexual assault, attempted

aggravated criminal assault, aggravated battery, unlawful restraint

ConvICtIon: Aggravated criminal sexual assault, attempted
aggravated criminal assault, aggravated battery, unlawful restraint
ConvICtIon datE: 9/25/86
ExonEratIon datE: 1/7/13
sEntEnCE: 100 years
sErvEd: 20 years
rEal PErPEtrator found: No
ComPEnsatIon: State Statute

THE FACTS
InCIdEnt datE: 5/11/78
JurIsdICtIon: Il
ChargE: murder, Rape
ConvICtIon: murder, Rape

Exoneration year:
1996

ConvICtIon datE: 10/20/78

ContrIbutIng faCtors:

sErvEd: 17.5 years

unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
misidentification, False
Confessions or Admissions

ExonEratIon datE: 7/2/96

sEntEnCE: Death + 60 years
rEal PErPEtrator found: yes
ComPEnsatIon: Civil Suit, State Statute

William
Gregory
Kentucky

Incident Date: 6/1/92

Jurisdiction: KY
Charge: Attempted Rape, Rape, Burglary

7 years served

Conviction: Attempted Rape, Rape, Burglary

Exoneration year:
2000

Exoneration Date: 7/5/00

Contributing factors:

Conviction Date: 1/1/93

Sentence: 70 Years
Served: 7 years

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification

Real Perpetrator Found: No

Clyde Charles

THE FACTS

Louisiana
17 years served

Compensation: Civil Suit

Incident Date: 3/12/81

Jurisdiction: LA
Charge: Rape, Assault
Conviction: Agg. Rape

Exoneration year:
1999

Conviction Date: 6/24/82

Contributing factors:

Served: 17 years

Exoneration Date: 12/17/99

Sentence: Life without parole

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification

Real Perpetrator Found: Yes

Anthony
Johnson

THE FACTS

Louisiana

Charge: Second degree murder

22 years served
Exoneration year:
2010
Contributing factors:

Compensation: Civil Suit

Incident Date: 10/19/84

Jurisdiction: LA
Conviction: Second degree murder
Conviction Date: 2/26/86
Exoneration Date: 9/15/10
Sentence: Life w/o parole
Served: 22 years
Real Perpetrator Found: Yes

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science,
Inadequate Defense

Compensation: Not Yet

Eduardo
Velasquez

THE FACTS

Massachusetts

Charge: Rape, Assault with Intent

12.5 years served

Exoneration year:
2001
Contributing factors:

Innocence Project:
NOT A STRAND OF EVIDENCE

THE FACTS

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification

Incident Date: 12/9/87

Jurisdiction: MA
Conviction: Agg. Rape (2 cts.), Assault & Battery w/

Dangerous Weapon (2 cts.), Indecent Assault & Battery on

Adult (2 cts.), Assault & Battery (2 cts.)
Conviction Date: 11/23/88
Exoneration Date: 8/15/01
Sentence: 12-18 years
Served: 12.5 years
Real Perpetrator Found: No
Compensation: State Statute

Nathaniel
Hatchett
Michigan
10 years served
Exoneration year:
2008

THE FACTS
Incident Date: 11/11/96
Jurisdiction: MI
Charge: Kidnapping, carjacking, armed robbery,

criminal sexual conduct

Conviction: Kidnapping, carjacking, armed robbery,

criminal sexual conduct

Conviction Date: 3/3/98

Exoneration Date: 4/14/08

Contributing factors: Unvalidated Sentence: 25-40 Years

or Improper Forensic Science,
Served: 10 years
Eyewitness Misidentification,
Real Perpetrator Found: No
False Confessions or Admissions
Compensation: No

Johnny
Briscoe

THE FACTS

Missouri

Charge: Forcible rape, sodomy, burglary, robbery,

23 years served
Exoneration year:
2006
Contributing factors:

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification

Chester Bauer
Montana
8 years served

Jurisdiction: MO

stealing, armed criminal action

Conviction Forcible rape, sodomy, burglary, robbery,
stealing, armed criminal action
Conviction Date: 5/4/83
Exoneration Date: 7/19/06
Sentence: 45 Years
Served: 23 years
Real Perpetrator Found: Yes
Compensation: Not Yet

THE FACTS
Incident Date: 1/26/93
Jurisdiction: MT
Charge: Rape, Assault
Conviction: Rape, Agg. Assault w/ Weapon

Exoneration year:
1997

Conviction Date: 6/17/83

Contributing factors:

Served: 8 years

Exoneration Date: 9/22/97

Sentence: 30 Years

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification

Real Perpetrator Found: No

Jimmy Ray
Bromgard

THE FACTS

Montana

Charge: Sexual Intercourse w/o Consent

9.5 years served

Exoneration year:
2002
Contributing factors:

Innocence Project:
NOT A STRAND OF EVIDENCE

Incident Date: 10/21/82

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification, Inadequate Defense

Compensation: Civil Suit

Incident Date: 3/20/87

Jurisdiction: MT
Conviction: Sexual Intercourse w/o Consent (3 cts.)
Conviction Date: 11/19/87
Exoneration Date: 10/1/02
Sentence: 40 Years to life
Served: 9.5 years
Real Perpetrator Found: No
Compensation: Civil Suit

Paul D.
Kordonowy
montana

InCIdEnt datE: 7/25/87

JurIsdICtIon: mT
ChargE: Aggravated burglary, Sexual Intercourse w/o Consent

13 years served

ConvICtIon: Aggravated burglary, Sexual Intercourse w/o Consent

Exoneration year:
2003

ExonEratIon datE: 5/27/03

ContrIbutIng faCtors:

ConvICtIon datE: 1/18/90

sEntEnCE: 30 years
sErvEd: 13 years

unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science

rEal PErPEtrator found: No

Dwayne
Allen Dail

THE FACTS

north Carolina

ChargE: burglary, Sex Offense, Rape, Indecent liberties,

ComPEnsatIon: Not yet

InCIdEnt datE: 9/4/87

JurIsdICtIon: NC

lewd & lascivious Acts

18 years served

ConvICtIon: burglary, Sex Offense, Rape, Indecent liberties,

Exoneration year:
2007

ConvICtIon datE: 5/30/89

ContrIbutIng faCtors:

sErvEd: 18 years

unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
misidentification

lewd & lascivious Acts

ExonEratIon datE: 8/28/07

sEntEnCE: life + 18 years
rEal PErPEtrator found: yes
ComPEnsatIon: State Statute

Joseph
Sledge

THE FACTS

north Carolina

ChargE: murder

36.5 years served

Exoneration year:
2015
ContrIbutIng faCtors:

InCIdEnt datE: 9/6/76

JurIsdICtIon: NC
ConvICtIon: Two counts of second-degree murder
ConvICtIon datE: 8/31/78
ExonEratIon datE: 1/23/15
sEntEnCE: Two life sentences
sErvEd: 36.5 years
rEal PErPEtrator found: No

unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Informants

ComPEnsatIon: Not yet

Larry Peterson

THE FACTS

new Jersey
16.5 years served

InCIdEnt datE: 8/24/87

JurIsdICtIon: NJ
ChargE: Capital murder, Aggravated Sexual Assault
ConvICtIon: Felony murder, Aggravated Sexual Assault

Exoneration year:
2006

ConvICtIon datE: 3/17/89

ContrIbutIng faCtors:

sErvEd: 16.5 years

unvalidated or Improper Forensic

Science, Informants

Innocence Project:
NOT A STRAND OF EVIDENCE

THE FACTS

ExonEratIon datE: 5/26/06

sEntEnCE: life + 20 years
rEal PErPEtrator found: No
ComPEnsatIon: Civil Suit

10

Habib Wahir
Abdal
New York

THE FACTS
Incident Date: 5/18/82
Jurisdiction: NY
Charge: Rape

16 years served

Conviction: Rape

Exoneration year:
1999

Exoneration Date: 9/1/99

Contributing factors:

Conviction Date: 6/6/83

Sentence: 20 to Life
Served: 16 years

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification

Real Perpetrator Found: No

Steven Barnes

THE FACTS

New York
19.5 years served
Exoneration year:
2009
Contributing factors:

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification, Informants

Compensation: Civil Suit

Incident Date: 9/18/85

Jurisdiction: NY
Charge: 1st Degree Rape, 1st Degree Sodomy,

2nd Degree Murder (4 counts)

Conviction: 1st Degree Rape, 1st Degree Sodomy,

2nd Degree Murder (3 counts)

Conviction Date: 6/2/89

Exoneration Date: 1/9/09
Sentence: 25-Life
Served: 19.5 years
Real Perpetrator Found: No
Compensation: Civil Suit

Dennis Halstead
New York
16 years served

Incident Date: 11/10/84

Jurisdiction: NY
Charge: Murder, Rape
Conviction: Murder, Rape

Exoneration year:
2005

Conviction Date: 12/3/86

Contributing factors:

Served: 16 years

Exoneration Date: 12/29/05

Sentence: 33 1/3 Years-Life

Unvalidated or Improper Forensic

Science, False Confessions or
Admissions, Informants

Real Perpetrator Found: No

John Kogut

THE FACTS

New York
17 years served

Compensation: Civil Suit

Incident Date: 11/10/84

Jurisdiction: NY
Charge: Murder, Rape
Conviction: Murder, Rape

Exoneration year:
2005

Conviction Date: 5/28/86

Contributing factors:

Served: 17 years

Unvalidated or Improper Forensic

Science, False Confessions or
Admissions, Informants
Innocence Project:
NOT A STRAND OF EVIDENCE

THE FACTS

Exoneration Date: 12/21/05

Sentence: 31.5 Years to Life
Real Perpetrator Found: No
Compensation: Not Yet

11

Antron
McCray
new York

InCIdEnt datE: 4/19/89

JurIsdICtIon: Ny
ChargE: Rape, Assault

6 years served

ConvICtIon: Rape, Assault

Exoneration year:
2002

ExonEratIon datE: 12/19/02

ContrIbutIng faCtors:

ConvICtIon datE: 8/18/90

sEntEnCE: 5-10 years
sErvEd: 6 years

unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, False
Confessions or Admissions

rEal PErPEtrator found: yes

John Restivo

THE FACTS

new York
16 years served

ComPEnsatIon: Civil Suit

InCIdEnt datE: 11/10/84

JurIsdICtIon: Ny
ChargE: murder, Rape
ConvICtIon: murder, Rape

Exoneration year:
2005

ConvICtIon datE: 12/3/87

ContrIbutIng faCtors:

sErvEd: 16 years

ExonEratIon datE: 12/29/05

sEntEnCE: 33.5 years-life

unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, False
Confessions or Admissions,
Informants

rEal PErPEtrator found: No

Kevin
Richardson

THE FACTS

new York

ChargE: Attempted murder, Rape, Sodomy, Robbery

5.5 years served

Exoneration year:
2002
ContrIbutIng faCtors:

ComPEnsatIon: Civil Suit

InCIdEnt datE: 4/19/89

JurIsdICtIon: Ny
ConvICtIon: Attempted murder, Rape, Sodomy, Robbery
ConvICtIon datE: 12/11/90
ExonEratIon datE: 12/19/02
sEntEnCE: 5-10 years
sErvEd: 5.5 years
rEal PErPEtrator found: yes

unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, False
Confessions or Admissions

ComPEnsatIon: Civil Suit

Yusef Salaam

THE FACTS

new York
5.5 years served

InCIdEnt datE: 4/19/89

JurIsdICtIon: Ny
ChargE: Rape, Assault
ConvICtIon: Rape, Assault

Exoneration year:
2002

ConvICtIon datE: 8/18/90

ContrIbutIng faCtors:

sErvEd: 5.5 years

unvalidated or Improper Forensic

Science, False Confessions or
Admissions
Innocence Project:
NOT A STRAND OF EVIDENCE

THE FACTS

ExonEratIon datE: 12/19/02

sEntEnCE: 5-10 years
rEal PErPEtrator found: yes
ComPEnsatIon: Civil Suit

12

Raymond
Santana
new York

InCIdEnt datE: 4/19/89

JurIsdICtIon: Ny
ChargE: Rape, Assault

5 years served

ConvICtIon: Rape, Assault

Exoneration year:
2002

ExonEratIon datE: 12/19/02

ContrIbutIng faCtors:

ConvICtIon datE: 8/18/90

sEntEnCE: 5-10 years
sErvEd: 5 years

unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, False
Confessions or Admissions

rEal PErPEtrator found: yes

Kharey Wise

THE FACTS

new York
11.5 years served

ComPEnsatIon: Civil Suit

InCIdEnt datE: 4/19/89

JurIsdICtIon: Ny
ChargE: Assault, Sexual Abuse, Riot
ConvICtIon: Assault, Sexual Abuse, Riot

Exoneration year:
2002

ConvICtIon datE: 12/11/90

ContrIbutIng faCtors:

sErvEd: 11.5 years

ExonEratIon datE: 12/19/02

sEntEnCE: 5-15 years

unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, False
Confessions or Admissions

rEal PErPEtrator found: yes

Michael Green

THE FACTS

ohio
13 years served

ComPEnsatIon: Civil Suit

InCIdEnt datE: 5/29/88

JurIsdICtIon: Oh
ChargE: Rape, Robbery
ConvICtIon: Rape, Aggravated Robbery

Exoneration year:
2001

ConvICtIon datE: 10/21/88

ContrIbutIng faCtor:

sErvEd: 13 years

ExonEratIon datE: 10/18/01

sEntEnCE: 20-50 years

unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
misidentification, False
Confessions or Admissions

rEal PErPEtrator found: yes

Raymond
Towler

THE FACTS

ohio

ChargE: Rape, two counts felonious assault,

28.5 years served

Exoneration year:
2010
ContrIbutIng faCtor:

unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
misidentification
Innocence Project:
NOT A STRAND OF EVIDENCE

THE FACTS

ComPEnsatIon: Civil Suit

InCIdEnt datE: 5/24/81

JurIsdICtIon: Oh

two counts kidnapping

ConvICtIon: Rape, two counts felonious assault,

two counts kidnapping

ConvICtIon datE: 9/18/81
ExonEratIon datE: 5/5/10
sEntEnCE: life + 12-40 years
sErvEd: 28.5 years
rEal PErPEtrator found: No
ComPEnsatIon: Civil Suit

13

David Johns
Bryson
Oklahoma
16.5 years served

THE FACTS
Incident Date: 9/23/82
Jurisdiction: OK
Charge: Kidnapping, first-degree rape,

two counts of oral sodomy, and anal sodomy

Conviction: Kidnapping, first-degree rape,

two counts of oral sodomy, and anal sodomy

Exoneration year:
2003

Conviction Date: 2/10/83

Contributing factors:

Sentence: 85 Years

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification

Sedrick Courtney
Oklahoma
15 years served

Exoneration Date: 5/26/03

Served: 16.5 years
Real Perpetrator Found: No
Compensation: Civil Suit

THE FACTS
Incident Date: 4/6/95
Jurisdiction: OK
Charge: Robbery with a firearm, first-degree burglary
Conviction: Robbery with a firearm, first-degree burglary

Exoneration year: 2012

Conviction Date: 2/8/96

Contributing factors: Unvalidated

Sentence: 30 Years

or Improper Forensic Science,

Eyewitness Misidentification

Exoneration Date: 7/19/12

Served: 15 years
Real Perpetrator Found: No
Compensation: State Statute

Timothy Durham
Oklahoma
3.5 years served

Incident Date: 5/31/91

Jurisdiction: OK
Charge: Rape, Robbery
Conviction: Rape, Robbery

Exoneration year:
1997

Conviction Date: 3/13/93

Contributing factors:

Served: 3.5 years

Exoneration Date: 12/9/97

Sentence: 3,200 Years

Unvalidated or Improper Forensic

Science, Eyewitness Misidentification

Real Perpetrator Found: No

Dennis Fritz

THE FACTS

Oklahoma
11 years served

Compensation: Not Yet

Incident Date: 12/8/82

Jurisdiction: OK
Charge: Murder
Conviction: 1st Degree Murder

Exoneration year:
1999

Conviction Date: 4/11/88

Contributing factors:

Served: 11 years

Unvalidated or Improper Forensic

Science, False Confession or
Admissions, Informants

Innocence Project:
NOT A STRAND OF EVIDENCE

THE FACTS

Exoneration Date: 4/15/99

Sentence: Life
Real Perpetrator Found: Yes

14

Curtis
McCarty
Oklahoma

Incident Date: 12/10/82

Jurisdiction: OK
Charge: Murder

21 years served

Conviction: Murder

Exoneration year:
2007

Exoneration Date: 5/11/07

Contributing factors:

Conviction Date: 3/29/86

Sentence: Death
Served: 21years

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Informants

Real Perpetrator Found: No

Robert Miller

THE FACTS

Oklahoma
9.5 years served

Compensation: Not Yet

Incident Date: 9/3/86

Jurisdiction: OK
Charge: Murder, Rape, Robbery, Att. Robbery
Conviction: Murder, Rape, Robbery, Att. Robbery

Exoneration year:
1998

Conviction Date: 5/19/88

Contributing factors:

Served: 9.5 years

Exoneration Date: 1/22/98

Sentence: Death

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, False
Confessions or Admissions

Real Perpetrator Found: Yes

Jeffrey Pierce

THE FACTS

Oklahoma
14.5 years served

Compensation: Not Yet

Incident Date: 5/8/85

Jurisdiction: OK
Charge: Rape, Robbery
Conviction: Rape, Robbery

Exoneration year:
2001

Conviction Date: 10/15/86

Contributing factors:

Served: 14.5 years

Exoneration Date: 5/7/01

Sentence: 65 Years

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification

Real Perpetrator Found: Yes

Calvin
Lee Scott

THE FACTS

Oklahoma

Charge: Rape

20 years served
Exoneration year:
2003
Contributing factors:

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science

Innocence Project:
NOT A STRAND OF EVIDENCE

THE FACTS

Compensation: Civil Suit

Incident Date: 8/29/82

Jurisdiction: OK
Conviction: Rape
Conviction Date: 9/30/83
Exoneration Date: 12/3/03
Sentence: 25 Years
Served: 20 years
Real Perpetrator Found: Yes
Compensation: State Statute

15

Thomas Webb
Oklahoma

Incident Date: 3/20/82

Jurisdiction: OK

13 years served

Charge: Rape, Robbery

Exoneration year:
1996

Conviction Date: 1/19/83

Contributing factors:

Conviction: Rape, Robbery

Exoneration Date: 5/24/96
Sentence: 55 Years

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification

Served: 13years

Ron
Williamson

THE FACTS

Oklahoma

Charge: Murder

11 years served
Exoneration year:
1999
Contributing factors:

Real Perpetrator Found: No

Compensation: Not Yet

Incident Date: 12/8/82

Jurisdiction: OK
Conviction: 1st Degree Murder
Conviction Date: 4/28/88
Exoneration Date: 4/15/99
Sentence: Death
Served: 11years
Real Perpetrator Found: Yes

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, False
Confessions or Admissions,
Informants, Inadequate Defense

Compensation: Civil Suit

Dale Brison

THE FACTS

Pennsylvania
3.5 years served
Exoneration year:
1994
Contributing factors:

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification

Willie Nesmith
Pennsylvania
18 years served

Incident Date: 7/14/90

Jurisdiction: PA
Charge: Rape, Kidnapping, Agg. Assault,

Carrying Weapon, Invol. Deviate Sex. Intercourse

Conviction: Rape, Kidnapping, Agg. Assault,
Carrying Weapon, Inv. Deviate Sex. Intercourse (3 cts.)
Conviction Date: 6/5/91
Exoneration Date: 1/14/94
Sentence: 18-42 Years
Served: 3.5 years
Real Perpetrator Found: No
Compensation: Not Yet

THE FACTS
Incident Date: 5/14/82
Jurisdiction: PA
Charge: Rape
Conviction: Rape

Exoneration year:
2000

Conviction Date: 1/1/82

Contributing factors:

Served: 18 years

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification
Innocence Project:
NOT A STRAND OF EVIDENCE

THE FACTS

Exoneration Date: 8/26/00

Sentence: 9-25 years
Real Perpetrator Found: No
Compensation: Not Yet

16

Drew Whitley
Pennsylvania

Incident Date: 8/17/88

Jurisdiction: PA

16.5 years served

Charge: Murder

Exoneration year:
2006

Conviction Date: 7/24/89

Contributing factors:

Conviction: Second Degree Murder

Exoneration Date: 5/1/06
Sentence: Life

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification, Informants

Served: 16.5 years

Michael Blair

THE FACTS

Texas
13.5 years served

Real Perpetrator Found: No

Compensation: Not Yet

Incident Date: 9/4/93

Jurisdiction: TX
Charge: Capital murder
Conviction: Capital murder

Exoneration year:
2008

Conviction Date: 9/28/94

Contributing factors:

Served: 13.5 years

Exoneration Date: 8/25/08

Sentence: Death

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification

Real Perpetrator Found: No

Timothy Cole

THE FACTS

Texas
13 years served

Compensation: Not Yet

Incident Date: 3/24/85

Jurisdiction: TX
Charge: Aggravated Sexual Assault
Conviction: Aggravated Sexual Assault

Exoneration year:
2009

Conviction Date: 9/17/86

Contributing factors:

Served: 13 years

Exoneration Date: 4/9/09

Sentence: 25 Years

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification

Real Perpetrator Found: Yes

Richard
Danziger

THE FACTS

Texas

Charge: Agg. Sexual Assault

11 years served
Exoneration year:
2002
Contributing factors:

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, False
Confessions or Admissions

Innocence Project:
NOT A STRAND OF EVIDENCE

THE FACTS

Compensation: Not Yet

Incident Date: 10/24/88

Jurisdiction: TX
Conviction: Agg. Sexual Assault
Conviction Date: 2/1/90
Exoneration Date: 2/6/02
Sentence: Life
Served: 11 years
Real Perpetrator Found: Yes
Compensation: Civil Suit

17

Brandon Moon
Texas

Incident Date: 4/27/87

Jurisdiction: TX

17 years served

Charge: Sexual Assault (3 cts.)

Exoneration year:
2005

Conviction Date: 1/14/88

Contributing factors:

Conviction: Aggravated Sexual Assault (all counts)

Exoneration Date: 4/6/05
Sentence: 75 Years

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification

Served: 17 years

Michael
Morton

THE FACTS

Texas
24.5 years served
Exoneration year:
2011
Contributing factors:

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science

Real Perpetrator Found: No

Compensation: Not Yet

Incident Date:8/13/86
Jurisdiction: TX
Charge: Murder
Conviction: Murder
Conviction Date: 2/17/87
Exoneration Date: 12/19/11
Sentence: Life + $5000
Served: 24.5 years
Real Perpetrator Found: Yes
Compensation: State Statute

George
Rodriguez

THE FACTS

Texas

Charge: Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child,

17 years served
Exoneration year:
2005
Contributing factors:

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification

James Waller
Texas
10 years served

Incident Date: 2/24/87

Jurisdiction: TX

Aggravated Kidnapping
Conviction: Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child,
Aggravated Kidnapping
Conviction Date: 10/29/87
Exoneration Date: 9/29/05
Sentence: 60 Years
Served: 17 years
Real Perpetrator Found: No
Compensation: Civil Suit

THE FACTS
Incident Date: 11/2/82
Jurisdiction: TX
Charge: Aggravated Sexual Abuse
Conviction: Aggravated Sexual Abuse

Exoneration year:
2007

Conviction Date: 2/1/83

Contributing factors:

Served: 10 years

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification
Innocence Project:
NOT A STRAND OF EVIDENCE

THE FACTS

Exoneration Date: 3/9/07

Sentence: 30 Years
Real Perpetrator Found: No
Compensation: State Statute

18

Victor
Burnette
Virginia

Incident Date:8/3/79
Jurisdiction: VA
Charge: Rape, Burglary

8 Years served

Conviction: Rape, Burglary

Exoneration year:
2009

Exoneration Date: 4/3/09

Contributing factors:

Conviction Date: 10/23/79

Sentence: 25 Years
Served: 8 years

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification

Real Perpetrator Found: No

Calvin Wayne
Cunningham

THE FACTS

Virginia

Charge: Rape and burglary with intent to commit rape

7 years served
Exoneration year:
2011
Contributing factors:

Compensation: Private Bill

Incident Date: 5/24/79

Jurisdiction: VA
Conviction: Rape and burglary with intent to commit rape
Conviction Date: 6/19/81
Exoneration Date: 4/12/11
Sentence: 20 years
Served: 7 years
Real Perpetrator Found: No

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification

Compensation: Not Yet

Willie
Davidson

THE FACTS

Virginia

Charge: Rape, Sodomy, Robbery

11 years served
Exoneration year:
2005
Contributing factors:

Incident Date: 11/27/80

Jurisdiction: VA
Conviction: Rape, Sodomy, Robbery
Conviction Date: 5/27/81
Exoneration Date: 12/22/05
Sentence: 20 Years
Served: 11 years
Real Perpetrator Found: No

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification

Compensation: Private Bill

Edward Honaker

THE FACTS

Viriginia
9 years served

Innocence Project:
NOT A STRAND OF EVIDENCE

THE FACTS

Incident Date: 6/23/84

Jurisdiction: VA
Charge: Sexual Assault (7 cts.), Sodomy, Rape
Conviction: Sexual Assault (7 cts.), Sodomy, Rape

Exoneration year:
1994

Conviction Date: 2/7/85

Contributing factors:

Served: 9 years

Unvalidated or Improper Forensic

Science, Eyewitness Misidentification,
Government Misconduct

Exoneration Date: 10/21/94

Sentence: 3 Life +34 years
Real Perpetrator Found: No
Compensation: Private Bill

19

Walter Snyder
Virginia

THE FACTS
Incident Date: 10/28/85
Jurisdiction: VA

6.5 years served

Charge: Rape, Sodomy, Burglary

Exoneration year:
1993

Conviction Date: 6/25/86

Contributing factors:

Conviction: Rape, Sodomy, Burglary

Exoneration Date: 4/23/93
Sentence: 45 Years

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification, False
Confessions or Admissions

Served: 6.5 years

David Vasquez

THE FACTS

Virginia
4 years served

Real Perpetrator Found: No

Compensation: Civil Suit, Private Bill

Incident Date: 1/23/84

Jurisdiction: VA
Charge: Homicide (Sec. Deg.), Burglary
Conviction: Homicide (Sec. Deg.), Burglary

Exoneration year:
1989

Conviction Date: 2/3/85

Contributing factors:

Served: 4 years

Exoneration Date: 1/4/89

Sentence: 35 Years

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification, False
Confessions or Admissions

Real Perpetrator Found: Yes

Steven Avery

THE FACTS

Wisconsin
17.5 years served
Exoneration year:
2003
Contributing factors:

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification

Compensation: Private Bill

Incident Date: 7/29/85

Jurisdiction: WI
Charge: Sexual Assault, Attempted Murder,

False Imprisonment

Conviction: Sexual Assault, Attempted Murder,

False Imprisonment

Conviction Date: 9/14/85

Exoneration Date: 9/10/03
Sentence: 32 Years
Served: 17.5 years
Real Perpetrator Found: Yes
Compensation: State Statute

Anthony Hicks
Wisconsin
5 years served

Incident Date: 11/15/90

Jurisdiction: WI
Charge: Rape, Robbery
Conviction: Rape, Robbery

Exoneration year:
1997

Conviction Date: 12/19/91

Contributing factors:

Served: 5 years

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification,
Inadequate Defense
Innocence Project:
NOT A STRAND OF EVIDENCE

THE FACTS

Exoneration Date: 4/23/97

Sentence: 20 Years
Real Perpetrator Found: No
Compensation: Civil Suit, State Statute

20

Fredric Saecker
Wisconsin

Incident Date: 6/28/89

Jurisdiction: WI

6 years served

Charge: Rape, Kidnapping

Exoneration year:
1996

Conviction Date: 1/5/90

Contributing factors:

Conviction: Sexual Assault, Kidnapping, Burglary

Exoneration Date: 10/24/96
Sentence: 15 Years

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, False Confessions
or Admissions, Informants

Served: 6 years

Glen Woodall

THE FACTS

West Virginia
4.5 years served

Real Perpetrator Found: No

Compensation: State Statute

Incident Date: 1/22/87

Jurisdiction: WV
Charge: Sexual Assualt, Sexual Abuse, Kidnapping, Robbery
Conviction: Sexual Assualt, Sexual Abuse, Kidnapping, Agg. Robbery

Exoneration year:
1992

Conviction Date: 7/8/87

Contributing factors:

Served: 4.5 years

Unvalidated or Improper
Forensic Science, Eyewitness
Misidentification,

Innocence Project:
NOT A STRAND OF EVIDENCE

THE FACTS

Exoneration Date: 5/4/92

Sentence: 2x Life without Parole
Real Perpetrator Found: Yes
Compensation: Civil Suit

21