Septuagenerian thief avoids jail but has to pay $300 a month for plan to destroy an irreplaceable part of American culture

In a sentencing hearing, a septuagenerian thief who confessed to stealing Judy Garland’s ruby slippers from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, was spared jail time but ordered to pay $300 a month as restitution. The thief, Terry Jon Martin, stole the slippers in 2005, motivated by an associate who told him that the shoes needed to be adorned with real jewels to justify their $1 million insured value. Martin, who is currently in hospice care, admitted to using a hammer to break into the museum and steal the slippers. The FBI recovered the slippers in 2018, leading to Martin’s arrest last year. Despite his criminal past, Martin had been a contributing member of society since his release from prison in 1996. The judge accepted the recommendation for time served due to Martin’s failing health, but emphasized the seriousness of the crime, stating that Martin had intended to “destroy an irreplaceable part of American culture.”

Background Information

Brief overview of the case

In 2005, Terry Jon Martin, a 76-year-old thief, stole a pair of ruby slippers that Judy Garland wore in “The Wizard of Oz” from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The slippers were adorned with sequins and glass beads and were insured for $1 million. Martin confessed to the theft, revealing that he was motivated by the belief that the shoes contained real jewels.

Description of the stolen item

The stolen ruby slippers were a significant piece of Hollywood memorabilia. They were worn by Judy Garland in the iconic film “The Wizard of Oz” and were known for their red color and sparkling sequins and glass beads.

Motivation behind the theft

Martin’s motivation for the theft was driven by the belief that the slippers contained real jewels. He was persuaded to steal them by an old associate with connections to the mob, who claimed that the slippers needed to be adorned with real jewels to justify their insured value of $1 million. Martin saw this as an opportunity for one last score, despite having seemingly put his criminal past behind him after his release from prison.

Sentencing and Financial Consequences

No prison time for the thief

At the sentencing hearing, Terry Jon Martin was given no prison time due to his physical condition. He is currently housebound and in hospice care, with expectations that he will die within the next few months. Given his medical condition and the fact that he requires constant oxygen therapy, the judge chose not to impose a prison sentence.

Payment plan for restitution

Despite avoiding prison time, Martin was ordered to pay $23,500 in restitution to the Judy Garland Museum. To facilitate the payment, the judge ordered Martin to pay $300 a month towards restitution.

Judge’s comments on the seriousness of the crime

The judge acknowledged the seriousness of Martin’s crime during the sentencing hearing. He emphasized that the theft of the ruby slippers was an attempt to “destroy an irreplaceable part of American culture.” While Martin was not given a prison sentence, the judge made it clear that the crime was significant and had a negative impact on American culture.

Recovery of the Ruby Slippers

How the FBI recovered the stolen slippers

The FBI recovered the stolen ruby slippers in 2018 when someone attempted to claim a reward for their return. The exact details of how the FBI tracked down the slippers were not disclosed. However, it was stated that a man approached the insurer in 2017 and offered to help recover the slippers, but he demanded a higher reward than the $200,000 being offered. The recovery of the slippers was ultimately achieved during an FBI sting operation in Minneapolis.

Market value of the slippers

Federal prosecutors have estimated the market value of the stolen ruby slippers to be approximately $3.5 million. The slippers hold immense value due to their role in the classic film and their cultural significance.

Other remaining pairs of ruby slippers

Out of the several pairs of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland during the filming of “The Wizard of Oz,” only four authentic pairs are known to remain. Besides the stolen pair, one pair is held by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, another pair is held by the Smithsonian Museum of American History, and the third pair is held by a private collector.

Impact on the Victims

Cultural significance of the ruby slippers

The ruby slippers hold significant cultural significance due to their association with the film “The Wizard of Oz.” The iconic shoes are recognized worldwide and are a symbol of American cinema and popular culture.

Effect on the Judy Garland Museum

The theft of the ruby slippers had a significant impact on the Judy Garland Museum. The museum experienced a loss of credibility as a result of the theft and had to deal with the negative publicity surrounding the incident. Additionally, the theft made it more challenging for the museum to borrow other objects connected with Garland and the movie.

Loss of credibility and difficulties in borrowing objects

The theft of the ruby slippers caused a significant loss of credibility for the Judy Garland Museum. This loss of credibility made it difficult for the museum to secure loans of related objects in the future. Lenders may be hesitant to trust the museum with their belongings due to the theft incident, which can negatively impact the museum’s ability to curate exhibitions and attract visitors.

Thief’s Background and Criminal History

Terry Jon Martin’s history with burglary and stolen property

Terry Jon Martin had a long history involving burglary and receiving stolen property. He had previously been involved in criminal activities related to stolen goods and had a reputation as a career thief.

His previous prison term

Martin had served a prison term for his involvement in criminal activities almost ten years prior to the theft of the ruby slippers. This prison term was seen as an opportunity for Martin to turn his life around and become a contributing member of society.

Relapse into criminal activity

Despite seemingly putting his criminal past behind him, Martin experienced a relapse into criminal activity when he decided to participate in the theft of the ruby slippers. The allure of a “final score” led him to disregard the progress he had made in rebuilding his life.

Theft Investigation and Legal Proceedings

Use of phone records in the investigation

Investigators used phone records to help identify Terry Jon Martin as the thief responsible for the theft of the ruby slippers. The phone records provided valuable evidence that helped link Martin to the crime.

Leveraging wife’s immigration status to search Martin’s home

Authorities were able to leverage Martin’s wife’s immigration status to gain access to Martin’s home and conduct a search. This strategy was successful in obtaining further evidence related to the theft of the ruby slippers.

Martin’s guilty plea and confession

Terry Jon Martin pleaded guilty to theft of a major artwork in October. During his guilty plea, he confessed to using a hammer to smash the glass of the museum door and display case to steal the ruby slippers. His confession provided closure to the case and shed light on his motivations for the theft.

Sentencing Hearing and Judge’s Decision

Judge’s assessment of Martin’s physical condition

The judge took into consideration Terry Jon Martin’s physical condition during the sentencing hearing. Martin is currently housebound and in hospice care, with a few months left to live. The judge recognized Martin’s medical condition, which influenced the decision to not impose a prison sentence.

Recommendation for time served and restitution payment

Both the prosecution and the defense recommended that Terry Jon Martin be sentenced to time served due to his physical condition. The judge accepted this recommendation and ordered Martin to pay $23,500 in restitution to the Judy Garland Museum, with monthly payments of $300.

Comments on the destruction of American culture

The judge made it clear that the theft of the ruby slippers was an attempt to destroy an irreplaceable part of American culture. While Martin was not sentenced to prison, the judge emphasized the seriousness of the crime and the impact it had on American cultural heritage.

Cultural Significance of the Ruby Slippers

Their role in the film ‘The Wizard of Oz’

The ruby slippers played a significant role in the classic film “The Wizard of Oz.” They were worn by Judy Garland’s character, Dorothy, and were central to the storyline as they had the power to transport her back home to Kansas.

The iconic phrase associated with the slippers

The ruby slippers became associated with the iconic phrase, “There’s no place like home,” which Dorothy repeated three times while clicking her heels together. This phrase has since become deeply ingrained in popular culture and is often referenced in various contexts.

Number of remaining authentic pairs

Out of the several pairs of ruby slippers used during the filming of “The Wizard of Oz,” only four authentic pairs are known to exist. The stolen pair, along with three other pairs, is held by different institutions and private collectors.

Ruby Slippers Market Value

Estimated market value of the stolen slippers

Federal prosecutors estimate the market value of the stolen ruby slippers to be approximately $3.5 million. The unique combination of their association with “The Wizard of Oz,” their cultural significance, and their limited number contributes to their high value in the market.

Comparison to other iconic Hollywood memorabilia

The stolen ruby slippers hold a comparable market value to other iconic Hollywood memorabilia. Collectors and enthusiasts value items associated with significant films and actors, leading to high market demand and prices for such items.

Plan to sell the recovered slippers

After their recovery, the stolen ruby slippers were returned to Michael Shaw, a Hollywood memorabilia collector who had loaned a pair to the Judy Garland Museum before the theft. The recovered slippers are currently being held by an auction house for safekeeping and are planned to be sold after a promotional tour.

Impact on the Judy Garland Museum

Loss of credibility for the museum

The theft of the ruby slippers caused a significant loss of credibility for the Judy Garland Museum. The incident brought negative publicity to the museum and raised questions about its ability to safeguard valuable artifacts.

Difficulties in obtaining loans of related objects

The theft of the ruby slippers made it more challenging for the Judy Garland Museum to borrow related objects for future exhibitions. Lenders may be hesitant to trust the museum with their belongings due to concerns about security and the museum’s ability to prevent further thefts.

Effect on museum attendance

The theft of the ruby slippers may have had a negative impact on the museum’s attendance. The incident and its aftermath could have deterred potential visitors, resulting in a decline in the number of people visiting the museum.