Joe Exotic’s lawyer urges release, citing new evidence challenging his murder-for-hire conviction.
DALLAS — Joe Maldonado-Passage, more widely known as “Joe Exotic,” is back in the spotlight as his attorney publicly called for his release, citing new evidence that challenges his 22-year federal prison sentence.
Maldonado-Passage, a former Oklahoma zoo operator who gained worldwide fame through the Netflix series “Tiger King,” was convicted in 2020 of multiple charges, including two counts of murder-for-hire and wildlife violations.
At a press conference Thursday, attorney Levi McCathern, who also represents Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, alleged significant flaws in the case, highlighting false witness testimonies.
“Joe Exotic did not hire anyone to murder anyone,” McCathern stated, arguing that witnesses, including Allen Glover and James Garretson, committed perjury under government pressure. McCathern pointed to “new evidence,” including recordings and affidavits where these witnesses admitted to lying during their testimony.
“It was clear when you see the recordings that James Garretson made, it demonstrates that Joe was going along and agreeing with an idea that James Garretson had and Jeff Lowe had about murdering Carol Baskin, but he never intended to do anything about it himself,” McCathern explained. “In fact, Alan Glover has gone so far as to say that Jeff Lowe actually hired him and wanted him to kill Joe Exotic and Carol Baskin.”
McCathern’s main argument is that no money changed hands and no one was harmed in the alleged murder-for-hire scheme. The attorney also accused the government of promising leniency to key witnesses, leading to what he described as a biased case against Maldonado-Passage.
“Joe’s case was orchestrated by others, and the government was the conductor of that orchestra,” McCathern claimed.
During the press conference, McCathern also revisited the wildlife charges against Maldonado-Passage, including the killing of five tigers. McCathern argued that these charges were added to build up the murder-for-hire case. The attorney pointed to new evidence including an affidavit from a former zoo manager, alleging that the euthanasia of the tigers was authorized by the USDA and followed guidelines for sick and elderly tigers.
Maldonado-Passage, currently incarcerated in a federal medical facility in Fort Worth, has expressed disappointment over the lack of progress in his case, McCathern said. His legal team is urging President-elect Donald Trump, who had previously commented on Maldonado-Passage’s case, to take action.
“This is not a man who deserves to be [in prison],” McCathern said while addressing Trump. “He did not do what he’s convicted of doing. He asked for a new trial. He wasn’t granted one. At a minimum, you should be entitled to that. Look at the evidence yourself, make up your own mind.”