The man who stole the ruby slippers from the “Wizard of Oz” has received no prison time.
Prosecutors have dropped charges to Terry Jon Martin due to his current situation. (Photo: CBS News)
No Prison Time For Terry Jon Martin
Terry Jon Martin, a dying thief, was given no prison time for stealing a pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in “The Wizard of Oz.” Terry Jon Martin stole the slippers in 2005 because he was told by a former associate that they needed to be adorned with real jewels to be worth their insured value of $1 million.
The shoes were recovered by the FBI in 2018, and Terry Jon Martin was charged last year. Terry Jon Martin pleaded guilty to theft of a major artwork and admitted to using a hammer to break into the museum and take the slippers.
According to a published article by The Mcdowell News, Terry Jon Martin’s motivation for the theft was revealed to be a desire for “one last score” by his attorney. Terry Jon Martin had hopes of selling the slippers after removing what he thought were real rubies, but later found out they were not authentic.
Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz sentenced Terry Jon Martin to time served due to his failing health.
Terry Jon Martin Is In Hospice Care
In a published article by Salon.com, the FBI recovered the shoes in 2018, and the man was charged with theft last year. But since he is in hospice care and expected to die soon, the prosecutors agreed to drop his sentence. The shoes are currently held by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Smithsonian Museum, and a private collector.
