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Dying thief who stole ‘Wizard of Oz’ ruby slippers gets no prison time

DULUTH, Minn. — A dying thief who confessed to stealing a pair of ruby slippers that Judy Garland wore in “The Wizard of Oz” because he wanted to pull off “one last score” was given no prison time at his sentencing hearing Monday.

Terry Jon Martin, 76, stole the slippers adorned with sequins and glass beads in 2005 from the Judy Garland Museum in Garland’s hometown of Grand Rapids, Minn. He gave into temptation after a mob associate told him the shoes had to be adorned with real jewels to justify their $1 million insured value.

Martin showed little emotion as the judge handed down the sentence and was physically unable to fully rise from his chair as the judge adjourned the hearing. He declined to address the court.

The FBI recovered the shoes in 2018 when someone else tried to claim a reward. Martin wasn’t charged with stealing them until last year.

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