Begging to go free, fighting cancer. CAGED TI G
TIGER King Joe Exotic is still clawing in the money as he prowls a cell, begging for his freedom.
The one-time big cat owner has a team recouping hefty sums made from merchandise after his Netflix show gripped viewers in lockdown.
But most of it will go on legal fees.
Pals fear Exotic, jailed for hiring a hitman to kill a wildlife activist, won’t live to spend what is left – as prostate cancer may have spread to his pelvis and stomach.
His lawyer says a resentencing hearing is upcoming and is calling for release on compassionate grounds so Exotic, 58, can be treated outside of prison. And filmmaker Theresa Mckeown, a close friend, said: “I don’t think he is built to last another two years in prison – no matter the cancer. Emotionally and physically, his spirit is eroding every day and his health is compromised.”
She said Joe was devastated when ex-president Donald Trump failed to pardon him.
Just last week he penned an open letter to supporters begging them to campaign for his release – claiming lawyers had proof that trial witnesses lied.
In another letter he said he wants to “enjoy what life I have left with my loved ones”. And he declared: “I don’t want anyone’s pity.”
Plotting
His lawyer John M Phillips tweeted: “He and I spoke, with both of us in tears at a point. He needs freedom by so many definitions and we are diligently working towards that. We can’t spend four months on him waiting to get treatment.”
As if fighting for his life and freedom is not enough, Theresa revealed her Kansas-born friend has also fallen in love again – after common-law husband Dillon Passage called time on their marriage.
Exotic is about to be thrust into the spotlight again with the release of Netflix’s Tiger King 2, out on November 17. But this time it will examine his prison life in
FMC Fort Worth, Texas, and catch up with other main characters from the first series.
Joe, real name Joseph Maldonado-passage, was jailed in January 2020 for 22 years for plotting to kill Florida animal sanctuary owner
Carole Baskin, who criticised his treatment of animals.
From his cell, he has hired showbiz
lawyer Brad Small, who works with Fox Rothschild. Small focuses on protecting the Tiger King brand, with official merchandise including T-shirts, caps and a mug which has a dig at Carole. Small has recouped earnings from businesses which used the Tiger King name through music deals, video games, museum exhibits and clothing.
Tiger King is said to have generated £40million for various firms and Exotic’s share is believed to be millions.
Small said: “There are many companies exploiting Joe’s name and image, infringing property rights and right of publicity. Joe is unhappy. People are wrongfully using his name, likeness and information to cash in – it is commercial misappropriation.”
Theresa, who met Exotic while making a 2014 documentary on his Oklahoma zoo, says he needs better care. An immune deficiency syndrome caused two years of problems even before his cancer.
Now, in declining health, he needs a monthly blood infusion. Theresa said: “I’m worried. According to his power of attorney, he has not received regular infusions to bolster his immune system. That is a huge
concern given he is in a prison which has had outbreaks of Covid.” She said Exotic “can be an asshole”, but underneath the tiger print, mullet and wild personality is “a kindhearted man”.
She said the only thing keeping him going is a relationship with a man he has never met. “Joe has moved on and struck up a relationship through phone, letter and email with a new man,” Theresa said.
“Joe is gaga over him. This perhaps is the first relationship centred on the emotional and romantic side, rather than physical. He hopes they will build a life together.”
She said Exotic “likes to fall in love”. He had five
“husbands” but only legally married two. Brian Rhine died from HIV complications in 2001, while Travis
Moldanado died in a freak accident when he shot himself at the zoo in 2017.
Exotic is maintaining his innocence after being convicted of animal abuse and two counts of attempted murder for hire. Theresa insisted he is a philanthropic “people lover”, who helped terminally ill patients fulfil their dreams of playing with tiger cubs.
And she added: “I am not a weirdo fan, but I happen to be close enough to see there is major injustice and to speak up about it. Joe is not the hillbilly redneck presented by Netflix and those that hate him. Nobody could have accomplished all he has without being intelligent. He is kind of a marketing genius.
“Of course nothing is simple with him. He can be angry, a pr**k. He knows that. But that’s not a reason for him to be behind bars.”
feedback@people.co.uk Theresa Mckeown is writing a book called The Joe I Know. Hear her podcast on the issue – The
Judge And The Journalist – at podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ the-judge-the-journalist/
id1570885929
Emotionally and physically, his spirit is eroding
every day
I want to enjoy what time I have left with my
loved ones