There was genuinely “no location like home” for a 76-year-old terminally ill burglar wanting to get in one last break-in before he passed away.
Terry Jon Martin, a previous mobster, confessed to taking the famous ruby slippers in 2005 from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The shoes were used by Judy Garland in the 1939 classic, “The Wizard of Oz.”
Martin wound up chucking the shoes 2 days later on after recognizing the “ruby” slippers were not real gems– and believed he could not earn a profit. He did not understand the shoes were guaranteed for $1 million.
Related: Guy Charged for Stolen ‘Wizard of Oz’ Ruby Slippers
Martin’s defense attorney, Dane DeKrey, discussed in a sentencing memo on Monday that before taking the shoes, Martin had not dedicated a criminal offense in over a years. He stated, an unknown previous friend required aid taking the slippers, and Martin confessed he might not withstand.
“At initially, Terry decreased the invite to take part in the break-in. Old practices pass away hard, and the idea of a ‘last rating’ kept him up at night,” DeKrey composed. “After much reflection, Terry had a criminal regression.”
Martin is presently on hospice and is anticipated to live another 6 months, leaving his legal group to advocate no jail time.
“Martin is on oxygen at all times,” the memo specified. “A medical decision was made that Martin’s disease is terminal, and his life span is less than 6 months.”
Martin pleaded guilty to theft last October. His official sentencing is set to occur on January 29.