Behind every name is a life stolen by the state. These are the stories of those who fought back and won.
According to the National Registry of Exonerations, DC has a disproportionately high rate of wrongful convictions per capita. The causes are familiar: official misconduct, perjury, and bad forensics.
Cause: Flawed FBI Hair Analysis
Convicted of rape based on a single hair found on the victim's nightgown. DNA testing later proved the hair did not belong to him.
Cause: Withheld Evidence (Brady Violation)
Prosecutors withheld police notes pointing to another suspect. Wright was exonerated after decades of fighting for the truth.
Cause: Coerced Confession
One of many men wrongfully convicted due to the misconduct of MPD Detective Michael Ritz.
Combined years served by known DC exonerees.