Dying Ex-Mobster Spared Prison in Wizard of Oz Ruby Slippers Heist
In a surprising turn of events, Terry Jon Martin, a 76-year-old former mobster, has been spared a custodial sentence after admitting to the theft of the iconic ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in “The Wizard of Oz.”
Martin, who pleaded guilty to the theft of a major artwork in October, was granted leniency by his lawyers, who argued for no jail time and secured a plea deal based on time already served. The ex-mobster, with a history of several burglaries, is currently in hospice care, facing a life expectancy of six months.
The infamous heist took place in 2005 when the ruby slippers were stolen from a Minnesota museum. Martin confessed to breaking into the museum and smashing the display case with a hammer to steal the slippers, which were insured for $1 million.
According to his defense lawyer, Dane DeKrey, Martin succumbed to the temptation of a “final score” when an old mob associate persuaded him to carry out the heist. Despite initially declining, Martin gave in to the allure of the heist, breaking a decade-long streak of staying out of trouble.
During the sentencing hearing in Duluth, Minnesota, on Monday, Martin displayed no emotion and struggled to rise from his chair. His defense emphasized his lack of criminal activity in the past decade, portraying him as someone who had turned his life around until the unfortunate involvement in the ruby slippers theft.
Remarkably, Martin claimed to have no knowledge of the cultural significance of the slippers or having seen “The Wizard of Oz” film. He revealed plans to sell the gems from the slippers, only to dispose of them days later when he discovered they were made of glass.
The crime remained unsolved for 13 years until an FBI art crime team recovered the stolen slippers in a sting operation. A man, who approached the insurer claiming he could help retrieve the slippers, ultimately led to Martin’s arrest.
At least five pairs of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the film are known to have survived, making this particular pair a sought-after artifact with a tumultuous history.
The man who stole a pair of Dorothy’s ruby slippers used in “The Wizard of Oz” from the Judy Garland Museum nearly 20 years ago said he believed the slippers were adorned with real rubies. He was sentenced to time served and a year of probation. https://t.co/5SFYkONrz3
— The New York Times (@nytimes) January 29, 2024