"Dying Mobster Spared Prison for Theft of '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 his lawyers argued for leniency citing his lack of criminal activity in nearly 10 years. Martin admitted to smashing the museum display case with a hammer to take the slippers, which were insured for $1m, but got rid of them days later when he realized the rubies were actually made of glass.