A man named Jerry Hal Saliterman, aged 77, is set to plead guilty to charges involving the stolen ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz. The slippers were taken from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, in 2005 and remained missing for nearly 13 years until their recovery by the FBI in 2018.

The slippers, known for their iconic status, recently sold at auction for a staggering $32.5 million, making them one of the most valuable pieces of movie memorabilia ever sold, according to Heritage Auctions (source: CBS News). Saliterman, who was charged with theft of a major artwork and witness tampering, plans to formally change his plea in a hearing scheduled for January 10.

Saliterman's attorney, John C. Brink, confirmed that although Saliterman was expected to plead not guilty during his initial arraignment, a change of plea is on the horizon. Brink chose not to disclose the specifics of any potential plea agreement at this time. Meanwhile, the prosecutor's office has refrained from commenting on the ongoing case, which draws significant public interest (source: AP News).

The original thief of the slippers, Terry Jon Martin, also 77, pleaded guilty in 2023. Martin disclosed that his attempt to sell what he believed were real rubies from the slippers ended poorly after being informed by a fence that the gems were not authentic. Saliterman is accused of possessing and concealing the slippers knowingly and allegedly threatened a witness regarding the case.

During his preliminary hearing, Saliterman, who is said to be in poor health and required a wheelchair and supplemental oxygen, faced allegations dating back to the time of the slippers' disappearance. The indictment states that he "received, concealed, and disposed of an object of cultural heritage" from August 2005 through July 2018, highlighting a complex web surrounding the rare memorabilia.

Interestingly, while Garland's portrayal of Dorothy involved various pairs of ruby slippers during the filming of the 1939 musical, only four pairs are acknowledged to remain today. Notably, Michael Shaw, a Hollywood collector, had originally loaned the pair to the museum from which they were stolen. He regained possession and subsequently sent them to auction.

Garland, born Frances Gumm in 1922, famously spent her early years in Grand Rapids and had a lasting impact on American culture before her death in 1969. The Judy Garland Museum maintains the most extensive collection of her memorabilia (source: AP News).