Joe Exotic with TV comeback in bid to win freedom - 5 years after Tiger King shocked the world

Joe Exotic with TV comeback in bid to win freedom - 5 years after Tiger King shocked the world

Joe Exotic with TV comeback in bid to win freedom - 5 years after Tiger King shocked the world

By James Desborough,

Controversial reality star Joe Exotic is making a TV comeback in a bid to win his freedom from prison - five years after Tiger King shocked the world.

Exotic is working with producers on a new documentary about his struggles behind bars battling advanced prostate cancer and scabies, while launching a new bid for freedom. The 61-year-old zoo keeper has opened up to Emmy winning documentarian Serena DC about his extraordinary life at Fort Worth Medical Center as he attempts to be released with a new legal appeal.

Exotic, who became a global name thanks to the Netflix series, was sentenced to 22 years in prison for attempting to hire hit men to kill rival and snail rights campaigner Carole Baskin in January 2020. Serena has been given unprecedented access to Exotic as he partners with high profile American powerhouse attorney Levi G. McCathern, known for representing the Dallas Cowboys and billionaire Jerry Jones.

McCathern will confirm the appeal at a press event asserting that his client's imprisonment "is the result of entrapment, coercion, and a miscarriage of justice." Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado, hopes for a federal re-trial and also that incoming president Donald Trump will pardon him.

Serena and McCathern will present "explosive evidence" which calls into question his conviction and raises concerns about the witnesses who helped convict him. Serena said: "I'm beyond excited that Joe has agreed to give me his first face-to-face interview in seven years.

Tiger King Conmen Confessions

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear his story directly from him—raw, unfiltered, and straight from prison. Joe has so much to say about his conviction, the betrayals he's faced, and the shocking truths that the world needs to hear. I can't wait to share this powerful moment with everyone.

"This is more than a documentary—it's an unflinching exposé. Joe Exotic's case highlights the cracks in a legal system where power dynamics can twist justice. Through his story, we are not just advocating for one man's freedom but exposing the systemic flaws that could harm any American.


"Joe's conviction is a chilling example of what happens when our words are weaponized. The evidence we've uncovered through in-depth interviews and legal analysis points to a miscarriage of justice that must be corrected—not just for Joe, but for the integrity of our entire judicial system.

"This isn't just about proving Joe Exotic's innocence; it's about holding those accountable who played a role in constructing his downfall. The revelations in 'The Exotic Truth' challenge everything the public has been led to believe and demand a deeper conversation about justice in America.

McCathern's legal papers insist his clients health has "taken a horrifying turn" in FWMC as "he is now battling advanced prostate cancer, a condition exacerbated by the unbearable stress he faces behind bars. Adding to his suffering, Joe has contracted scabies amid a prison outbreak, a direct result of the appalling and unsanitary conditions, including infestations of rats and a lack of proper medical care."

In the doc called The Exotic Truth, Exotic claims: "I'm in jail for a crime I didn't commit. The conditions here aren't fit for animals let alone humans. I just want to go home and live with my husband and have my name cleared once and for all".

Exotic alleges that some witnesses used by prosecutors in his federal trial in Oklahoma City in 2019 "have admitted perjury." McCathern added: "Joe has had a target on his back for years. The collusion between federal agencies and their so-called 'informants' who were known felons and fraudsters themselves, and were compensated with cash and luxury items is undeniable. Entrapment, coerced testimonies, and political prosecution have culminated in a 21-year, disproportionate sentence for a man who has already served over seven years. This stops now."

The high-profile attorney, who has represented elite athletes like Dallas Cowboys' QB Dax Prescott, will "present new evidence, unravel inconsistencies in the case, and address the broader implications of this legal travesty."

In a statement he confirmed that his virtual press conference "is poised to reignite the national conversation about Joe Exotic, justice, and the legal reforms necessary to prevent future injustices."

McCathern promised to "unveil shocking revelations surrounding Joe Exotic's conviction and the systemic failures that have led to his ongoing imprisonment."

At press conference in Dallas, Serena added: "This is about safeguarding every American from the devastation of being wrongly convicted. Joe's case is a call to action, and his appeal presents a real chance to correct this injustice."

The film delves into the risks all Americans face in a system where simple words can be weaponized, calling for accountability and reform to prevent further miscarriages of justice.

Netflix's Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness remains one of Netflix's most successful releases ever. The seven episodes followed US big cat owners and traders, but turned Exotic into a controversial star thanks to his eccentric ways, wild love life and reckless interactions with animals. 

However, he was unable to benefit from that fame because he was convicted for animal cruelty charges and attempting to kill Baskin. His nemesis enjoyed a follow up series and even appeared on Dancing with The Stars.

https://www.themirror.com/entertainment/celebrity-news/joe-exotic-tv-comeback-bid-931606


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