Conviction review
Convictions that were overturned, and innocence claims courts are ruling on this week. Read what the evidence was and where it broke.
Walter D. Smith
In 1986, Walter D. Smith was wrongly convicted of a rape, kidnapping, and robbery in Ohio. He was later exonerated in 1996.
1997 · WisconsinExonerated 1997Anthony Hicks
In 1991, Anthony Hicks was wrongly convicted of a rape he did not commit in Wisconsin. He was later exonerated in 1997.
2001 · MassachusettsExonerated 2001Eduardo Velasquez
In 1988, Eduardo Velasquez was wrongly convicted of an aggravated rape in Massachusetts. He was later exonerated in 2001.
1999 · IllinoisExonerated 1999Ronald Jones
In 1989, Ronald Jones was wrongly convicted of a rape and murder he did not commit in Illinois. He was later exonerated in 1999.
2004 · LouisianaExonerated 2004Ryan Matthews
Ryan Matthews spent five years on Louisiana's death row for a crime he did not commit. He was exonerated in 2004.
2001 · TexasExonerated 2001Calvin Washington
In 1987, Calvin Washington was wrongly convicted of a murder he did not commit in Texas. He was later exonerated in 2001.
1992 · West VirginiaExonerated 1992Glen Woodall
In 1987, Glen Woodall was wrongly convicted of multiple rapes in West Virginia. He was later exonerated in 1992.
2005 · New YorkExonerated 2005Barry Gibbs
In 1988, Barry Gibbs was convicted in New York City of a murder he didn't commit based on misconduct by a NYPD detective.
2016 · VirginiaExonerated 2016Keith Allen Harward
Keith Allen Harward walked out of prison on April 8, 2016, after wrongly serving more than 33 years for a rape and murder he did not commit.
2025 · Ohio Court of AppealsIn courtState v. Reese
Ohio Court of Appeals issued an opinion on December 9, 2025 that deals with an innocence claim. From the opinion: “…unavoidably prevented from discovering newly discovered evidence. For the following reasons, we affirm…”
2025 · Court of Appeals of IowaIn courtWilliam D. Beeman v. State of Iowa
Court of Appeals of Iowa issued an opinion on December 3, 2025 that deals with an innocence claim. From the opinion: “…(argued), Assistant State Public Defender—Wrongful Conviction Unit, Des Moines, and Tricia Rojo Bushnell…”
2025 · Supreme Court of New JerseyIn courtState v. Darryl Nieves; State v. Michael Cifelli
Supreme Court of New Jersey issued an opinion on November 20, 2025 that deals with an innocence claim. From the opinion: “…not hypothetical, but the leading cause of wrongful conviction. The professors who study false confessions…”
2025 · Court of Appeals of IowaIn courtDavid Allan Baugh v. State of Iowa
Court of Appeals of Iowa issued an opinion on November 13, 2025 that deals with an innocence claim. From the opinion: “…Judge. An applicant alleging newly discovered evidence appeals the district court’s denial of…”
2004 · FloridaExonerated 2018Clemente Aguirre-Jarquin
Clemente Aguirre-Jarquin was wrongly convicted in the murders of 47-year-old Cheryl Williams and 68-year-old Carol Bareis.
2013 · MissouriExonerated 2013George Allen
George Allen Jr. was exonerated in 2013, in St. Louis, Missouri, after serving over 30 years in prison for a murder he did not commit.
2023 · New YorkExonerated 2023Leonard Mack
In 2023, Leonard Mack was exonerated in New York, nearly 50 years after he was wrongfully convicted of rape and criminal possession of a weapon.
2025 · New YorkExonerated 2025Brian Boles
In July 2025, Brian Boles and Charles Collins were exonerated of a 1994 murder in upper Manhattan, New York.
2017 · TennesseeExonerated 2017Lawrence McKinney
In 1978, Lawrence McKinney was wrongly convicted of a rape he did not commit in Tennessee. He was later exonerated in 2009.
2000 · MassachusettsExonerated 2000Eric Sarsfield
In 1987, Eric Sarsfield was wrongly convicted of a rape he did not commit in Massachusetts. He was later exonerated in 2000.
2001 · FloridaExonerated 2001Jerry Frank Townsend
In 1980, Jerry Frank Townsend was wrongly convicted of several murders in Florida. He was later exonerated in 2001.
2005 · New YorkExonerated 2005John Kogut
In 1986, John Kogut was wrongly convicted of a murder and rape he did not commit in New York. He was later exonerated in 2005.
1996 · IllinoisExonerated 1996Willie Rainge
In 1978, Willie Rainge was wrongly convicted of a murder and rape he did not commit in Illinois. He was later exonerated in 1996.
1996 · IllinoisExonerated 1996Dennis Williams
In 1978, Dennis Williams was wrongly convicted of murder and rape as a member of the Ford Heights Four. He was later exonerated in 1996.
2021 · New YorkExonerated 2021Muhammad Aziz
In 2021, more than 56 years after Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965, two men convicted of the shooting, Khalil Islam and Muhammad Aziz, were exonerated.