Conviction review
Convictions that were overturned, and innocence claims courts are ruling on this week. Read what the evidence was and where it broke.
Shainne Sharp
In 1994, Shainne Sharp was wrongly convicted of a murder and kidnapping in Illinois. He was later exonerated in 2012.
1995 · IllinoisExonerated 1995Alejandro Hernandez
In 1985, Alejandro Hernandez was wrongly convicted of a murder and rape he did not commit. He was later exonerated in 1995.
2011 · IllinoisExonerated 2011James Harden
In 1995, James Harden was wrongly convicted of a rape and murder he did not commit in Illinois. He was later exonerated in 2011.
1995 · IllinoisExonerated 1995Rolando Cruz
In 1985, Rolando Cruz was wrongly convicted of a murder in Illinois largely based on a false confession and official misconduct.
1992 · IllinoisExonerated 1992Steven Linscott
In 1982, Steven Linscott was wrongly convicted of a murder he did not commit in Illinois. He was later exonerated in 1992.
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.
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.
2022 · IllinoisExonerated 2022Herman Williams
In 2022, Herman Williams was exonerated of the 1993 murder of his ex-wife in Waukegan, Illinois. He had spent nearly 29 years in prison.
1996 · IllinoisExonerated 1996Verneal Jimerson
In 1985, Verneal Jimerson — one of the "Ford Heights Four" — was wrongly convicted of a murder he did not commit in Illinois. He was exonerated in June 1996.
2002 · IllinoisExonerated 2002Paula Gray
In 1978, Paula Gray was wrongly convicted of murder, rape, and perjury in what is now known as the Ford Heights Four case.
2022 · IllinoisExonerated 2022John Galvan
On July 13, 2022, John Galvan, Arthur Almendarez, and Francisco Nanez were exonerated in Chicago after each spent more than 35 years in custody.
2008 · IllinoisExonerated 2008Dean Cage
Dean Cage served nearly 12 years in an Illinois prison before he was released and exonerated as a result of DNA testing.
2011 · IllinoisExonerated 2011Jonathan Barr
In 1997, Jonathan Barr was wrongly convicted of a rape and murder he did not commit. He served 14 years in prison before being exonerated.
1996 · IllinoisExonerated 1996Kenneth Adams
In 1978, Kenneth Adams, along with three other men, was wrongly convicted of a rape and double homicide in Ford Heights, Illinois. He was exonerated in July 1996.