Charges Dismissed Against Minnesota Man Accused in Ruby Slippers Theft Following His Death

A federal judge has dismissed charges against a Minnesota man accused of concealing a stolen pair of ruby slippers famously worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz.” The decision came after prosecutors informed the court of the man’s death. Jerry Hal Saliterman, aged 77, passed away on Sunday, according to a motion filed by federal prosecutor Matthew Greenley. The motion did not specify the circumstances or location of his death.

Saliterman, a resident of Crystal, Minnesota, had been facing charges related to the theft of a major artwork and witness tampering. These charges were linked to the 2005 theft of the iconic ruby slippers, a significant piece of film memorabilia. The slippers, worn by Garland’s character Dorothy, hold cultural and historical significance, making their theft a notable case.

The legal proceedings against Saliterman had been ongoing, with a plea change to guilty initially scheduled for January. However, this hearing was postponed indefinitely due to Saliterman’s hospitalization on January 3. He had been in poor health, suffering from lung disease and other ailments, which contributed to the delays in the legal process.

U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz officially dismissed the charges on Monday following the notification of Saliterman’s death. The case highlights the complexities and challenges in resolving high-profile thefts of culturally significant items. The dismissal of charges closes a chapter in the long-standing investigation into the disappearance of the ruby slippers, a case that has captured public interest for years.