Photo courtesy of Fox 4 News
DALLAS – The legal team representing Joseph Maldonado, famously known as Joe Exotic, has intensified efforts to secure his release from prison, appealing to President-elect Donald Trump for a pardon.
Maldonado, the former operator of an exotic animal park and the star of Netflix’s hit documentary series Tiger King, is currently serving his sentence at the Fort Worth Medical Center.
Lawyer Cites New Evidence in Joe Exotic Case
Levi McCathern, Joe Exotic’s attorney, held a press conference to present what he claims is “new evidence” highlighting inconsistencies in the case that led to his client’s conviction. Despite these assertions, McCathern has not called for the verdict to be overturned but has argued that the charges warrant closer scrutiny.
In 2020, Maldonado was sentenced to 22 years in prison after being found guilty of two counts of murder-for-hire. He was accused of conspiring to kill animal rights activist Carole Baskin, a vocal critic of Maldonado’s wildlife park.
The court also convicted Maldonado on multiple wildlife-related charges, including eight counts of falsifying records under the Lacey Act and nine counts of violating the Endangered Species Act. During the trial, it was revealed that Maldonado had personally killed five tigers in October 2017.
McCathern alleges that critical witnesses in the case, including Allen Glover, who was purportedly hired as a hitman, have since admitted to perjury.
“Joe Exotic did not hire anyone to commit murder,” McCathern stated. “He was convicted of a murder-for-hire plot, but there’s a glaring problem: no one was harmed, no payment was made, and no charges were brought against anyone else involved.”
Renewed Plea for Presidential Pardon
Maldonado, 61, is appealing to President-elect Trump for clemency. His team expressed optimism during Trump’s first term, even arranging a limousine to wait outside the Fort Worth Medical Center in anticipation of a pardon. However, Trump did not grant clemency.
In 2022, Maldonado’s sentence was reduced by one year, leaving him with a projected release date of March 18, 2036.
Health Concerns Behind Bars
Maldonado’s health has reportedly deteriorated during his incarceration. According to his representatives, he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and has suffered from other ailments, including scabies.
The Phenomenon of Tiger King
Tiger King became a cultural sensation upon its release on Netflix in March 2020, captivating audiences worldwide as pandemic lockdowns began. The series, which attracted 64 million households in its first month, delved into Maldonado’s tumultuous life and his feud with Baskin over the treatment of tigers, lions, and other big cats at his Oklahoma zoo.
The original series earned six Primetime Emmy nominations and was followed by a sequel in 2021.
Looking Ahead
As Joe Exotic continues to serve his sentence, his legal team remains committed to challenging the circumstances of his conviction. Meanwhile, fans of the Tiger King saga watch closely, eager to see how this real-life drama unfolds.
