Dying Thief Who Stole 'Wizard of Oz' Ruby Slippers Avoids Jail Time

Terry Jon Martin, persuaded by an old mob associate, stole the iconic slippers believing they were adorned with real rubies; ordered to pay $23,500 in restitution.

Terry Jon Martin, 76, confessed to stealing the ruby slippers Judy Garland wore in 'The Wizard of Oz' from the Judy Garland Museum in 2005, motivated by a belief that the shoes were adorned with real rubies.
Martin, who is dying and housebound in hospice care, was given no prison time at his sentencing hearing, but was ordered to pay $23,500 in restitution to the museum.
The FBI recovered the shoes in 2018 when someone else tried to claim a reward, but Martin wasn't charged until last year.
Martin's defense attorney revealed that an old mob associate had persuaded Martin to steal the slippers as 'one last score'.
The slippers' market value is estimated at about $3.5 million.