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Supreme Court Rejects Joe Exotic's Appeal for Retrial

3/30/2026

43 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

On March 30, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review Joseph Maldonado-Passage (Joe Exotic), the Tiger King.
Maldonado-Passage is serving a 21-year sentence for a murder-for-hire plot against Carole Baskin.
He appealed for a retrial in 2023, but a judge ruled his words were the most credible evidence against him.
He has sought a pardon from U.S. President Donald Trump and married fellow inmate Jorge Marquez Flores.

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Story summary

On March 30, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review Joseph Maldonado-Passage (Joe Exotic), the Tiger King.
Maldonado-Passage is serving a 21-year sentence for a murder-for-hire plot against Carole Baskin.
He appealed for a retrial in 2023, but a judge ruled his words were the most credible evidence against him.
He has sought a pardon from U.S. President Donald Trump and married fellow inmate Jorge Marquez Flores.