Top 25 Wrongful Convictions

The people on today’s list lost a collective 624 years of their lives while incarcerated. Here are our top 25 wrongful convictions.

In 2006, Kristine’s family hired new counsel, bringing in three fire forensic scientists who agreed that the prosecution’s arson testimony during her trial was most likely wrong. They petitioned the court, claiming she was entitled to a new trial as critical ATF documents were withheld during her 1995 trial. Recent findings in fire science provided additional evidence of her innocence. They could not sway the judge, and Kristine remained incarcerated until 2012 when she was released on her own recognizance. The prosecution finally dismissed the accusations against Kristine eight days before Christmas in 2012. Less than five years after being released, Avery faced charges for yet another murder and is currently serving a life sentence in prison with no chance of parole. On January 10, 2003, Illinois Governor George Ryan awarded Orange a complete pardon based on his innocence. Jon Burge was eventually fired from the force in 1993 for overseeing the torture of dozens of detainees. On April 30, 1999, Johnson was found guilty of assault leading to death and was given a sentence of 25 years to life. However, since her conviction, there have been advancements in the scientific understanding of shaken baby syndrome and non-accidental trauma. The beliefs held during her trial have largely been discarded in recent times. In March 2020, Governor Newsom granted Suzanne Johnson’s plea for clemency, recognizing the evolving understanding of the case and the changing perspectives on shaken baby syndrome. Following his trial, Mayes was convicted and handed an 80-year prison sentence. However, his claims of innocence persisted throughout the years. Finally, in 2001, advancements in DNA testing technology emerged, conclusively excluding Mayes as the source of the biological evidence found in the rape kit. Consequently, in December 2001, Mayes was set free after all charges against him were dropped. In 2016, new DNA testing excluded Barnhouse as the source of the DNA found at the crime scene, and all charges against him were dismissed. Nevertheless, on October 1, 1982, Miller was convicted of rape, robbery, and kidnapping. In 2005, the advancements in DNA testing provided crucial evidence that excluded Miller as the perpetrator. With this victory, Jerry Miller became the 200th person to be exonerated through DNA evidence in the United States. It wasn’t until 2008, when DNA evidence from the crime scene was examined that Clifford Jones was conclusively ruled out as the perpetrator. Jones sought a new trial, recognizing this new information, but his request was initially denied. Finally, in December 2014, after a long legal battle, the New York Court of Appeals granted him a hearing. In 2017, Clifford Jones took further action by filing a civil rights case. Ultimately, he was awarded a settlement of $12.6 million, acknowledging the injustice he had endured throughout the years. In 2014, new DNA evidence emerged, proving their innocence. After enduring a harrowing 31 years behind bars, they were finally exonerated and set free. In 2009, Cynthia Douglas contacted the Midwest Innocence Project for help in Strickland’s wrongful conviction case. He was finally exonerated in 2021 after spending an incredible 42 years in prison, making it one of the longest wrongful incarcerations in U.S. history. Because Missouri compensates only those exonerated by DNA testing, he could not claim any compensation for his wrongful conviction. During this time, he filed four petitions to reopen his case, despite not having legal assistance. Fellow inmates testified that Mazza’s friend, Robert Anderson, had confessed to framing him. Unfortunately, all four petitions were rejected or ignored. In 2006, Mazza made a breakthrough with a newly discovered statement from Anderson’s brother, given to the police back in 1972. This statement provided crucial evidence that supported Mazza’s innocence. Finally, on June 3, 2020, at 73, Mazza was released from Norfolk State Prison, ending his nearly five-decade-long wrongful imprisonment.