The man from Minnesota, accused of hiding Ruby slippers from the "wizard of the" dies

The 77 -year -old Minnesota man died, accused of hiding a stolen pair of ruby slippers worn by Judey Garland in the “wizard of Oz” died.

The accusations against Jerry Hal Saliterman from Crystal were resigned on Monday after prosecutors informed the judge that he died on Sunday, St. Paul Pionier Press reported. About a year ago, Saliterman was accused of the theft of a major art work and witness manipulation.

The indictment claims that, from August 2005 to July 2018, Saliterman “received, hid and eliminated a cultural heritage object”, which he describes as “an authentic pair of” Ruby Slippers “worn by Judy Garland in 1939” The Wizard of Oz “. The associated press reported.

Saliterman made his first appearance in court last year on a wheelchair and The judicial records indicate He had to be admitted in January “for the inability to go and sepsis.” His defense lawyer told the judge last month that Saliterman was moved to a hospice unit and had a weak prognosis.

Here’s more about Saliterman and the pair stolen by Ruby slippers.

Who stole Ruby slippers?

Terry Jon Martin Admitted in October 2023 That stole ruby slippers from the County Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, where slippers were borrowed from a Hollywood collector When they were taken in 2005.

Martin pleaded guilty for theft of a major art work, saying he used a hammer to break the museum door and a glass display box. Martin explained in court that he had hoped to remove what he thought were real rubies from shoes and sell them, but later learned that rubies were not real, A? reported.

Martin’s defense lawyer wrote in a memory That Martin did not know the cultural significance of Ruby slippers – and never saw the “wizard in Oz”. He was Timely served in January because of his failed health.

While the judicial documents do not say much about Saliterman’s role, the indictment indicated that Saliterman knew that the shoes were stolen and threatened to release a sexual band of a woman if he is not quiet with them, A? reported. Star Minnesota Tribune reported that Salitman had kept shoes buried in his yard.

How did Ruby slippers recovered?

The slippers were recovered by FBI In July 2018 during a stinging operation in Minneapolis.

FBI said at that time that a The man approached the insurer of shoes in 2017 and claimed they could help recover them although he asked more of the reward of $ 200,000 being offered.

What is Ruby slippers worth?

The pair stolen by Ruby slippers were Sold at auction In December, with the winning offer at $ 28 million. The unknown buyer will pay a total of about $ 32.5 million with the auction house tax.

The shoes are One of several pairs that Garland wore While the filming “the wizard in Oz”, but it is known that only four pairs have survived. Other pairs They are owned by the Academy of Arts and Sciences in the film, the Smithsonian Museum of American History and a private collector, reported AP.