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Charges Dropped Against Man Accused in “Wizard of Oz” Slipper Heist After His Death
Federal charges against Jerry Hal Salitermann, 77, related to the infamous 2005 theft of Judy Garland’s ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz” have been dropped following his death. Salitermann, who was charged last May with theft of a major artwork and witness tampering, had been in declining health, battling lung disease and other ailments.
He was scheduled to change his plea to guilty in January, but the hearing was postponed indefinitely after he was hospitalized on January 3rd. Court documents indicate Salitermann’s passing was brought to the court’s attention on Sunday, prompting U.S.
District Judge Patrick Schiltz to dismiss the charges on Monday. The specific circumstances surrounding his death were not disclosed.
Court records reveal Salitermann’s health struggles included an inability to walk, sepsis, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and Parkinson’s disease. He appeared at his arraignment via video call from what appeared to be a hospital room. While he was briefly discharged in February, his attorney informed the court his prognosis remained poor.
Salitermann was accused of concealing the iconic slippers, which were recovered in 2018 after a 13-year investigation. The recovered slippers were recently auctioned for a record-breaking $32.5 million, becoming the most valuable piece of movie memorabilia ever sold. They represent one of only four surviving pairs from the classic 1939 film.