Aging mobster avoids prison time after stealing Wizard of Oz ruby slippers

29 January 2024 , 20:02

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The thief of the famous ruby slippers avoided jail time

Terry Jon Martin, 76, will not receive prison time for his 2005 theft of Judy Garland's ruby slippers from Wizard of Oz.

The slippers were worn by her character Dorothy and are notorious for being the girl's golden ticket out of Oz by tapping her heels three times. Terry managed to snag the slippers from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The swindler's attorney revealed he was tempted by curiosity when he discovered through mob connections that the shoes, insured at $1 million, needed to have real jewels to receive that evaluation.

While the shoes were found in 2018, Terry wasn't indicted until May 2023. Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz chose not to put him behind bars since he is currently in hospice care and housebound. If it weren't for his health conditions, including constant oxygen therapy and being brought to court in a wheelchair, the judge would have sentenced him to 10 years.

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Despite Terry's hopes, the slippers did not have real rubies (ABC7 CHICAGO)

Throughout the investigation, authorities posted a reward for returning the shoes set at $250,000 and an anonymous donor later put up a $1 million offer. Terry did not give in, but the shoes were found regardless.

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Now, the mobster has escaped jail time in his sentencing on Jan. 29 and as the news was delivered, he was unable to get up from his chair due to physical difficulties. Terry didn't seem to show remorse or even any emotion, really. While Terry didn't comment on the conclusion of the legal process, his attorney noted that this decision will at least give closure to everyone involved.

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With only months left in his life, Terry was able to move on from his thievery and antics. Plus, the priceless relic was able to be returned to its owners and the museum, letting its legacy live on. His attorney said: "They will never be made whole in this case. But they’re more whole than they had been in the last 18 years.”

In October 2023, details emerged about the thief's rationale behind his move. In a hearing, he admitted to a plan to sell the rubies off the shoes, but they ended up being fake. His attorney said: “At first, Terry declined the invitation to participate in the heist. But old habits die hard, and the thought of a ‘final score’ kept him up at night. After much contemplation, Terry had a criminal relapse and decided to participate in the theft.”

Alex West