Ex-Mobster Spared Prison After Stealing Wizard of Oz Ruby Slippers
Terry Jon Martin, a dying ex-mobster, has been spared prison time after admitting to stealing the ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the Wizard of Oz. Martin, who is in hospice care with a life expectancy of six months, pleaded guilty to theft of a major artwork and struck a plea deal for time served. He claimed an old mob associate convinced him to carry out the heist in 2005, and he had planned to sell the slippers but got rid of them when he realized the rubies were made of glass. Martin showed no emotion during the sentencing and is not expected to live much longer.