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#FreeJoeExotic: Internet urges Trump to pardon 'Tiger King' star after he alleges sexual assault in jail

Lawyers have submitted a 257-page case to the president, seeking an early release for Joe Exotic

Disgraced zookeeper Joe Exotic's legal team has renewed their efforts to get him a presidential pardon from Donald Trump after failing to do so earlier this year. To that end, the lawyers have submitted a 257-page case to the president, and among the reasons listed for his early release from 22-year murder-for-hire sentence is the claim that he was sexually assaulted behind bars.

"I have been sexually assaulted by jail staff, beaten up and tied in a chair to the point the skin came off my arms," Exotic wrote in the letter obtained by TMZ that was reportedly hand-delivered to Trump by his legal team. He goes on to say, "please be my hero... my hands are damaged from the abuse in jail so I'm sorry for the soppy (sic) writing and spelling" and adding "#TrumpJr.2024."

Exotic also drew focus on the various health conditions like anemia and common variable immune deficiency that he suffers from that would ensure that he dies in prison before his time in jail in up. Among the character references submitted by him is one from Kerri Walker, whose cousin worked at the zoo. In the documents, she makes an appeal to Trump, saying Exotic got a raw deal, just like Trump did with his infamous "grab-'em-by-the-p***y" Access Hollywood tape.

The 'Tiger King' star was convicted of two counts of murder-for-hire to kill a rival animal rights activist, Carole Baskin, eight counts of violating the Lacey Act for falsifying wildlife records, and nine counts of violating the Endangered Species Act in January. Despite the court verdict, Exotic claimed in the documents that he never tried to kill Baskin, and that all threats he made against her were just "hyperbole." His lawyers added that the "threats" were "simply another aspect of his showmanship... Joe's jokes, at most, in bad taste, were merely jokes."

Exotic blamed Jeff Lowe — the former business partner and the new owner of Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in Oklahoma — and the judge who "railroaded and betrayed, repeatedly." Exotic claimed that the $3,000 he paid to the alleged hitman was not to kill Baskin but to get him out of his hair. He admitted to shooting some tigers because they were ill and he wanted a humane way of putting them down. Exotic also believed that he might have been convicted because of anti-gay sentiments.

Exotic's third husband, who he is currently married to, Dillon Passage, also added a few lines in the plea. "I see a sweet, big heart man, with good intentions, who took a few steps down a dark road, and he's just waiting to be pulled out of it," he wrote.

In conclusion, Exotic wrote, "Allow me to make you proud, to make America proud, to make the world proud. Be my hero please." After news of his sexual assault claim and his letter broke on social media, a number of people stepped forward to start a #FreeJoeExotic campaign. Here are a few of the reactions:

"A true travesty of ‘justice’. @realDonaldTrump This whole case makes your country look third world, corrupt and inept. The whole world is judging your system on this debacle. Mr Trump, please wade in and sort this mess out. #FreetheTigerKing."

"@realDonaldTrump @Jr2024Don Joe Maldonado-Passage wanted me to ask you to hurry and sign his pardon and make this right before the election, please! Stay Safe. Joe Exotic."

"I will vote for donald trump if he pardons joe exotic. That is the only factor i will use in my decision."

"Pardon Joe Exotic and give him back his voice so people can hear the truth! #FreeJoeExotic."

"Please pardon Joe I’m praying for it Joe &Dillon."

"I just wanted to remind you to free Joe Exotic. He's an innocent man who got set up by jealous people."

"Please Mr Trump, give Joe his life back.#Pardonjoeexotic."

However, the chances of a release from prison do not look bright for Exotic. When Trump was asked during a press conference back in April if he had watched the 'Tiger King' documentary and whether he would consider a pardon for the lead man, the president said that he had no clue what the case was about and jokingly asked the reporters if they were in favor of Exotic being pardoned. “Would you recommend a pardon?” Trump asked, adding, “I don’t think you would.” Nevertheless, he said that he would "take a look" at the case.