A protection lawyer has lastly divulged the motive for the 2005 theft of the long-lasting ruby crimson slippers from the Judy Garland Museum.
Forward of his Jan. 29 sentencing, thief Terry Jon Martin has admitted stealing the footwear, which — spoiler alert — have been a key a part of Garland’s story in The Wizard of Oz.
Martin gave into the temptation of “one final rating” after an outdated mob affiliate led him to imagine the well-known footwear should have embedded actual jewels to justify their $1 million insured worth.
The FBI recovered the footwear in 2018 when another person tried to assert an insurance coverage reward on them. Martin was charged with the theft final 12 months.
Martin pleaded responsible in October to utilizing a hammer to smash the glass of the museum door and show case to take the slippers.
However an individual who Martin tried to promote the shoe to knowledgeable him the rubies have been glass. Martin removed the slippers lower than two days after he took them.
Protection lawyer Dane DeKrey mentioned in his memo that an unidentified former mob affiliate tempted Martin to steal the footwear, although he hadn’t dedicated a criminal offense in almost 10 years after his final jail stint.
“At first, Terry declined the invitation to take part within the heist. However outdated habits die laborious, and the considered a ‘remaining rating’ saved him up at evening,” DeKrey wrote. “After a lot contemplation, Terry had a felony relapse and determined to take part within the theft.”
Martin is in hospice care with a life expectancy of lower than six months.
Garland wore a number of pairs of ruby slippers in the course of the 1939 musical, however solely 4 genuine pairs are recognized to stay. The stolen slippers have been insured for $1 million, however federal prosecutors put the present market worth at about $3.5 million.
Hollywood memorabilia collector Michael Shaw had the footwear on mortgage to the Garland museum when Martin stole them. Three different pairs worn by Garland within the film are held by the Academy of Movement Image Arts and Sciences, the Smithsonian Museum of American Historical past, and a non-public collector.
