The Great Ruby Slipper Heist: A Mystery Solved
In 2005, a daring theft shook up the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The stolen treasure? The iconic ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz.” Fast forward to 2018, and the FBI managed to rescue these sparkling shoes, insured for a whopping $3.5 million. So, what’s the latest? Well, the alleged thief, 76-year-old Terry Jon Martin, is gearing up to admit his role in this 18-year-long puzzler.
Unveiling the Guilty Plea
This Friday, Terry Jon Martin, the man accused of swiping the beloved ruby slippers, is expected to swap his plea to “guilty.” This revelation is like pulling back the curtain on a mystery that has intrigued folks for nearly two decades.
Martin was indicted in May on one count of theft of a major artwork. The slippers, tied to the legendary Judy Garland, disappeared from the museum in 2005 and were only recovered in 2018, thanks to the FBI.
No one had been held accountable for the theft until this year when Martin, who resides near Grand Rapids, faced the charges. His attorney, Dane DeKrey, revealed that his client, who isn’t in the best of health, has been cooperative with him, though perhaps less so with the authorities.
Facing Mortality
DeKrey mentioned, “I think Terry is facing his own mortality, and I think when people are reaching that point in their life, they cut through the pleasantries and talk turkey.” It appears that the sands of time have brought forth this unexpected twist.
The details leading to Martin’s identification are shrouded in secrecy. Martin has a prior conviction from 1988 for receiving stolen goods and is currently out on his own recognizance. Most of the evidence remains under wraps due to a protective order.
The Priceless Ruby Slippers
Judy Garland donned several pairs of ruby slippers during the making of the 1939 musical classic, but only four authentic pairs are known to exist. These iconic shoes were insured for $1 million, yet federal prosecutors now estimate their value at around $3.5 million.
In 2017, an individual approached the insurer, claiming they could facilitate the return of the slippers. In a cunning move, the FBI orchestrated a sting operation, recovering the slippers in Minneapolis.
The Road Ahead
The plea agreement, crafted by DeKrey and federal prosecutor Matt Greenley, will establish the factual basis for Martin’s guilty plea. U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz is expected to schedule a sentencing date in approximately three months. While the recommended sentence is not disclosed, federal guidelines suggest eight to ten years for similar cases.
DeKrey expressed gratitude for the hearing being held in Duluth, given Martin’s poor health. He shared, “My client is a sick man. He’s going to be on oxygen, and he’s going to be in a wheelchair.”
Treasured Artifacts
The ruby slippers in question were on loan to the museum from Hollywood memorabilia collector Michael Shaw. They were stolen after someone broke into the display case through a window. Three other pairs Garland wore in the movie are held by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Smithsonian Museum of American History, and a private collector.
Over the years, numerous rewards were offered to crack the mystery, including a $1 million contribution from an anonymous donor in 2015.
A Bit of Oz
The ruby slippers played a pivotal role in the 1939 movie. After an otherworldly adventure following a tornado, Garland’s character, Dorothy, had to click the heels of her slippers three times and chant “there’s no place like home” to return. These magical shoes are crafted from various materials, including wood pulp, silk thread, gelatin, plastic, and glass. Most of the ruby’s brilliance comes from sequins, while the shoe bows sport red glass beads.
Remembering Judy Garland
Garland, born as Frances Gumm in 1922, spent her early years in Grand Rapids before her family moved to Los Angeles when she was four. Tragically, she passed away from a barbiturate overdose in 1969. The Judy Garland Museum, established in the house where she once lived, boasts the world’s largest collection of Garland and “Wizard of Oz” memorabilia.