Conviction review
Convictions that were overturned, and innocence claims courts are ruling on this week. Read what the evidence was and where it broke.
Richard Danziger
In 1990, Richard Danziger was wrongly convicted of a sexual assault he did not commit in Texas. He was later exonerated in 2002.
2002 · TexasExonerated 2002Christopher Ochoa
In 1989, Christopher Ochoa was wrongly convicted of a murder he did not commit in Texas. He was later exonerated in 2002.
2000 · TexasExonerated 2000A.B. Butler
A.B. Butler was wrongly convicted in 1983 in Smith County, Texas, of aggravated kidnapping and rape. He was later pardoned in 2000.
2013 · TexasExonerated 2013Randolph Arledge
In 2013, Randolph Arledge was exonerated of a 1981 rape and murder near Corsicana, Texas. DNA testing of biological and physical evidence excluded Mr. Arledge and was linked to another man. Mr. Arledge spent nearly 29 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.
2014 · TexasExonerated 2014Rickey Dale Wyatt
In 1981, Rickey Dale Wyatt was wrongly convicted of aggravated rape in Texas. He was later exonerated in 2014.
2012 · TexasExonerated 2012David Wiggins
In 1989, David Wiggins was wrongly convicted of a sexual assault he did not commit in Texas. He was later exonerated in 2012.
2008 · TexasExonerated 2008Patrick Waller
Patrick Waller spent nearly 16 years in Texas prisons for a crime he didn’t commit before DNA testing proved his innocence in 2008.
2008 · TexasExonerated 2008Ronald Gene Taylor
Ronald Gene Taylor served 12 years in Texas prison before DNA testing proved his innocence in 2007 — and implicated another man already in prison for other crimes.
2005 · TexasExonerated 2005George Rodriguez
In 1987, George Rodriguez was wrongly convicted of a sexual assault he did not commit in Texas. He was later exonerated in 2005.
2008 · TexasExonerated 2008Steven Phillips
In 1982, Steven Phillips was wrongly convicted of a string of sex crimes he didn't commit in Texas. He was later exonerated in 2008.
2011 · TexasExonerated 2011Michael Morton
In 1987, Michael Morton was wrongly convicted of his wife's murder in Texas. He was later exonerated in 2011.
2008 · TexasExonerated 2008Thomas McGowan
Thomas McGowan served nearly 23 years in Texas prison for a rape he didn’t commit before DNA testing proved his innocence.
2008 · TexasExonerated 2008Charles Chatman
After serving 27 years for a crime he didn’t commit, Charles Chatman was proven innocent by DNA testing and freed in early 2008.
2008 · TexasExonerated 2008Michael Blair
After serving 14 years on Texas’ death row for a murder he didn’t commit, Michael Blair was exonerated in 2008.
2007 · TexasExonerated 2007Larry Fuller
Larry Fuller spent nearly 20 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, and was released in 2006. He was finally pardoned in 2007.
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.
2019 · TexasExonerated 2019Steven Mark Chaney
Steven Mark Chaney spent more than 25 years in prison before he was exonerated in 2019 of a 1987 murder in Dallas, Texas.
2019 · TexasExonerated 2019Stanley Mozee
In 2019, Stanley Mozee was exonerated of a murder he did not commit in Dallas. He had served 14 years in prison.
2018 · TexasExonerated 2018John Nolley
In 2018, John Nolley was exonerated of a 1998 murder in Tarrant County, Texas after spending more than 18 years in prison
2025 · Texas Court of Appeals, 11th District (Eastland)In courtEx Parte Valentino Franco v. the State of Texas
Texas Court of Appeals, 11th District (Eastland) issued an opinion on April 30, 2025 that deals with an innocence claim. From the opinion: “…the record straight now and rectify the wrongful conviction of [Appellant]. I deeply regret my…”
2025 · Court of Criminal Appeals of TexasIn courtCobb, Travis
Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas issued an opinion on March 26, 2025 that deals with an innocence claim. From the opinion: “…the applicant after introduction of the newly discovered evidence, it becomes theoretically impossible…”
2018 · TexasExonerated 2018Ernest Sonnier
In 1986, Ernest Sonnier was wrongly convicted of aggravated kidnapping in Texas. He was later exonerated in 2018.
2009 · TexasExonerated 2009Timothy Cole
Timothy Brian Cole died in a Texas prison in 1999 while serving a 25-year sentence for a rape he didn’t commit.
1997 · TexasExonerated 1997Kevin Byrd
In 1985, Kevin Byrd was wrongly convicted of a rape he did not commit based on eyewitness misidentification and misapplied forensic science.