A dying thief who confessed to stealing a pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in “The Wizards of Oz” was ordered to pay restitution however is not going to serve jail time on account of his well being.
Yesterday’s listening to handed down the sentence for Terry Jon Martin, 76, who stole the slippers in 2005 from the Judy Garland museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Martin stated he fell again into previous habits and was tempted with the concept of “one final rating” regardless of being out of jail for 10 years on the time. Martin stated that an affiliate advised him that the slippers will need to have been adorned with actual rubies with the intention to justify their $1 million insured worth, so he used a hammer to interrupt right into a protecting case on the museum. Martin made off with the slippers, however when he related with a “fence,” he was knowledgeable the rubies have been pretend. Afterwards he gave the slippers to an affiliate and stated he by no means wished to see them ever once more.
Chief U.S. District Choose Patrick Schiltz accepted the advice of each side that Martin be sentenced to time served since he’s at the moment housebound in hospice care and anticipated to die inside the subsequent few months. Justice Schiltz advised Martin that he in all probability would have sentenced him to 10 years in jail if it was nonetheless 2005. Regardless of no jail time being given, Martin was ordered to pay $23,500 in restitution to the museum.
“I actually don’t need to reduce the seriousness of Mr. Martin’s crime,” the decide stated. “Mr. Martin meant to steal and destroy an irreplaceable a part of American tradition.”
Footwear Ultimately Retrieved
In line with his lawyer, Martin had not concept in regards to the cultural significance of the ruby slippers and had by no means seen “The Wizard of Oz.” He was charged in 2023 after an investigation and telephone information led regulation enforcement to suspect Martin. They used his spouse’s immigration standing as leverage to look his house and get him to admit to the crime.
He refused to establish his affiliate or anybody else concerned within the heist, however the FBI finally retrieved the slippers in 2018. Whereas the FBI didn’t disclose many particulars about their retrieval, they stated that they have been approached by a person in 2017 who stated he might assist them get well the slippers for a value. They declined the person’s provide and finally recovered the slippers a yr later throughout a sting operation in Minneapolis.
We hope you’ll be able to fend off that feeling of needing to tug off one final job, but when you find yourself succumbing to these urges and find yourself needing a legal lawyer, we’re right here for you. We additionally assist shoppers who find yourself in handcuffs by means of no malice or ill-will, so we’re right here for you in your time of want. For extra info, or for assist with a special legal matter, attain out to Appelman Legislation Agency right this moment at (952) 224-2277.
