A hearing where Jerry Hal Saliterman, 77, of Crystal, Minnesota, was scheduled to plead guilty to hiding stolen "Wizard of Oz" ruby slippers has been indefinitely postponed. His attorney cited Saliterman's hospitalization for a medical condition.
Saliterman's attorney, John Brink, requested the continuance, explaining that Saliterman is currently hospitalized with a condition that prevents him from appearing in court. The judge granted the request. Federal prosecutors did not oppose the postponement.
Saliterman was scheduled to appear in court on Friday. He was initially charged with theft of a major artwork and witness tampering. The suspect was hospitalized on January 3rd and remains hospitalized at the time of the hearing.
The ruby slippers, worn by Judy Garland in the classic film, were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in 2005. The FBI recovered them in 2018. They were recently auctioned for a record-breaking $32.5 million.
The original thief, Terry Jon Martin, pleaded guilty in 2023 and was sentenced earlier this year to time served due to health issues. This is in contrast to the ongoing case of Saliterman.
