Man accused of hiding stolen 'Wizard of Oz' ruby slippers plans to plead guilty, attorney says

Ruby slipper thief to plead

Photo: The Canadian Press

FILE - Ruby slippers once worn by Judy Garland in the "The Wizard of Oz," are displayed at a news conference, Sept. 4, 2018, at the FBI office in Brooklyn Center, Minn. (AP Photo/Jeff Baenen, File)

A man accused of long hiding a stolen pair of sequined ruby slippers that Judy Garland wore in “The Wizard of Oz” plans to plead guilty, his attorney confirmed Friday.

The slippers were stolen in 2005 from the Judy Garland Museum in her hometown of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Their whereabouts remained a mystery for nearly 13 years until the FBI recovered them in 2018. They fetched a record price for movie memorabilia when they were auctioned off for $32.5 million last month, according to Heritage Auctions, which conducted the sale. The buyer still has not been revealed.

Jerry Hal Saliterman, now 77, of Crystal, Minnesota, was charged last March with theft of a major artwork and witness tampering.

He’s expected to plead not guilty when he’s arraigned Monday before a federal magistrate judge, a formality because magistrate judges can’t accept guilty pleas in felony cases in Minnesota. But the district judge overseeing the case on Friday scheduled a change of plea hearing for Jan. 10.

Saliterman's attorney, John C. Brink, confirmed to The Associated Press that his client will change his plea then to guilty, but he declined to give details about any potential plea agreement. The U.S. Attorney's Office for North Dakota, which is prosecuting the case, declined to comment.

The man who stole the slippers, Terry Jon Martin, now 77, pleaded guilty in 2023 to theft of a major artwork, admitting to what his attorney said was an attempt to pull off “one last score” after turning from a life of crime. He was sentenced last January to time served because of his poor health.

The indictment against Saliterman says that from August 2005 to July 2018, he “received, concealed, and disposed of an object of cultural heritage,” and that Saliterman knew the slippers were stolen.

Saliterman is also in poor health. He was in a wheelchair and on supplemental oxygen last March during his first court appearance.

Authorities have not said how Martin and Saliterman might have been connected. Martin, who lives near Grand Rapids, said at his plea hearing in October 2023 that he hoped to sell what he thought were real rubies from the shoes. But a person who deals in stolen goods, known as a fence, informed him the rubies weren’t real, he said. Martin said he then got rid of the slippers, but declined to say how he did so.

Garland’s character, Dorothy, wore several pairs while filming the classic 1939 musical, but only four pairs are known to remain. Hollywood memorabilia collector Michael Shaw had loaned his pair to the museum before Martin stole them. Shaw eventually got them back, and had them auctioned last month.

Garland was born Frances Gumm in 1922. She lived in Grand Rapids, about 200 miles (320 kilometers) north of Minneapolis, until she was 4 years old. She died in 1969. The Judy Garland Museum says it has the world’s largest collection of Garland and “Wizard of Oz” memorabilia.

Dune 4 ‘in development at Warner Bros. with or without Denis Villeneuve’

Dune 4 in development

Photo: © Warner Bros

A fourth ‘Dune’ movie is reportedly in the works at Warner Bros.

The sci-fi saga has so far been helmed by director Denis Villeneuve - who is currently working on his third and final entry into the franchise ‘Dune: Messiah’ - though Hollywood insider Daniel Richtman has now claimed Warner Bros. is looking to continue the story with or without the filmmaker.

As well as a supposed fourth movie, the studio is also reportedly exploring another spin-off TV series after releasing the Max prequel show ‘Dune: Prophecy’ in November 2024.

In September, Villeneuve insisted he would not stay in the ‘Dune’ franchise after ‘Messiah’, as the books written by Frank Herbert that the film series is based on are “tricky to adapt”.

During an appearance on Vanity Fair’s ‘Little Gold Men’ podcast, the ‘Blade Runner 2049’ director said: “I think that it would be a good idea for me to make sure that, in ‘Messiah,’ there are the seeds in the project if someone wants to do something else afterwards because they are beautiful books.

“They are more difficult to adapt. They become more and more esoteric.”

After releasing ‘Dune: Part Two’ in March 2024, Villeneuve announced he would be taking a break from the series to work on other projects, though later found himself picking the pen back up much sooner than he thought he would.

He explained to Deadline in October: “Let’s say that I thought that after ‘Part Two’ that I will take a break, that I will go back in the woods and stay in the woods for a while to recover. But the woods weren’t really suiting me, and I would go back behind the camera faster than I think. But that’s all I can say.”

At the time, Villeneuve said he was “in the writing zone” for ‘Messiah’, though made an effort not to call the film ‘Dune: Part Three’.

He explained the first two films felt like “one entity” to him, before adding: “It’s a movie made in two parts. It’s finished, it’s done.”

‘Dune: Messiah’ - which will star Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh and Anya Taylor-Joy - will follow Paul Atreides 12 years into his reign as the Emperor of the Known Universe as the religious cult he created around himself begins to spiral out of his control.

While he wanted to do justice to Herbert’s work, the ‘Sicario’ filmmaker emphasised he also wanted to “do something completely different” with his cinematic take on ‘Messiah’.

He explained: “Like Herbert did with ‘Dune: Messiah’, I think it’ll be a great idea to do something completely different. The story takes place like 12 years after where we left the characters at the end of ‘Part Two’.

“Their journey, their story is different this time, and that’s why I always say that while it’s the same world it’s a new film with new circumstances.”

'I'm really spontaneous': Tom Holland bought a puppy without asking Zendaya

'I'm really spontaneous'

Photo: © LADBible

Tom Holland spontaneously bought a puppy without asking his girlfriend Zendaya.

The 28-year-old star - who is believed to have started dating the 'Euphoria' actress in 2021 after they met on the set of 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' five years earlier - confessed to purchasing a furry friend on a whim without consulting his partner.

In an interview with LADbible, he said: "I bought a dog the other day and did not run it by my girlfriend at all.

"I seem to remember running it by her - but I didn't because I'm really spontaneous."

When asked how his puppy purchase went down, Tom replied: "Fine!"

Despite not being transparent with his 28-year-old lover, he feels "very lucky" and blessed to have her and his family and friends in his life.

He added: "I am most grateful for the people that I am surrounded by - my family, my friends, my girlfriend."

The British actor jokingly branded his girlfriend as "really rude" as he recalled her confessing to hating Jaffa Cakes when the pair took part in a joint interview with the outlet in 2021.

Tom added: "I think that was really rude.

"She had a good opportunity to win over the British public there, and she failed.

"Bless her, that's so horrible to say - I'm joking."

Meanwhile, Tom has vowed to "disappear" from the spotlight once he has a family of his own as he'll be content with being around his kids and playing golf.

He told Men's Health magazine: "When I have kids, you will not see me in movies anymore.

"Golf and dad. And I will just disappear off the face of the earth."

Jennifer Aniston loves her body

Aniston loves her body

Photo: © Getty Images

Jennifer Aniston is in love with her body.

The 55-year-old actress explained that she has learned to embrace her body because it is "doing the best it can".

She told Allure: "We’ve got to love our bodies. It’s doing the best it can. It’s been with us since the day we started, so we can’t be too hard on it.

"Of course, we're all going to grow older, but how can we thrive as we grow older? And that is about giving your body the attention that it deserves."

The 'Friends' star also admitted that her 20s were "a nightmare" but she enjoyed her 30s as she began to feel rewarded by working out.

Jennifer added: "For me personally, I loved my 30s, but my 20s were nothing. I was a nightmare.

"I didn't understand working out until my 30s and 40s."

'The Morning Show' actress revealed she has a "real hard relationship" with sleep and has had to shut herself away from receiving news at night.

Jennifer said: "I really want to love it, and I am sure it wants to love me, but we have had a hard time, especially the last 10, 15 years.

"It’s just hard to shut the brain down, hard to tell the committee to stop talking. I've had to shut the news off.

"I’ve had to give myself boundaries with information. You know what I mean?"

Aniston has been challenging herself to go to bed at 10pm on weeknights to improve her mental health by working on her sleep hygiene.

She revealed: "I've been trying hard to put myself in bed during the week at 10pm, turn everything off and then just sit there and let the world come crashing in.

"I've been trying to meet that challenge for myself. Some days you're great and on point, and some days you're just not.

"I’m a big believer in trying not to be hard on yourself because the world is so mean right now and so aggressive and negative.

"So why would we do it to ourselves?"

Ace Ventura star John Capodice dead at 83

Ace Ventura actor dies

Photo: © Getty Images

John Capodice has died at the age of 83.

The veteran actor - who is best known for appearing in 1994 comedy movie ‘Ace Ventura: Pet Detective’ and for his roles in 'Ryan's Hope' and ‘General Hospital’ - passed away on Monday (30.12.24), the website for Pizzi Funeral Home in New Jersey has confirmed.

No cause of death has been revealed as of yet.

The funeral home described Capodice as “a devoted husband, father and grandfather who will be missed by all who had the pleasure to meet him”.

Born in December 1941 in Chicago, Illinois, Capodice began his career in the late 1970s with the ABC TV soap opera ‘Ryan’s Hope’, in which he played Lloyd Lord in six episodes.

Capodice starred opposite the likes of Jim Carrey, Sean Young and Courteney Cox in the 1994 comedy movie ‘Ace Ventura: Pet Detective’, in which he portrayed Sgt. Aguado.

Capodice’s other film appearances include ‘Speed’ (1994), ‘Independence Day’ (1996), ‘Enemy of the State’ (1998), ‘Family Business’ (1989), ‘The Doors’ (1991) and ’Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult’ (1994).

As for his TV career, the actor notably played Carmine Cerullo in ‘General Hospital’ for six episodes from 1994 to 1996.

Capodice’s other TV appearances include ‘Murder, She Wrote’, ‘Spenser: For Hire’, ‘Kate and Allie’, ‘Law and Order’, ‘The West Wing’, ‘Six Feet Under’, ’CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ and ‘Seinfeld’.

Capodice’s most recent on-screen appearance came in the 2019, where he played Don Rossi in the gangster movie ‘Coyote, El’.

On top of his TV and film career, Capodice also lent his voice to the 2010 video game Mafia II’, where he portrayed Sidney Pen.

Aside from his hefty TV and film portfolio, Capodice served in Korea during his time in the U.S. army from 1964 to 1966, and was described as “proud member of the Blauvelt Sons of Italy Rockland Lodge 2176.”

Capodice is survived by his wife Jane, his two children and four grandchildren.

Rihanna claps back at social media troll

Rihanna claps back

Photo: (c) Getty Images

Rihanna has hit back at a social media troll who referred to her as "forehead".

The 36-year-old singer lashed out at the troll, after she posted a video of herself on Instagram celebrating her own sobriety and the start of 2025.

In the video - which was filmed from inside a hotel room in New York City - Rihanna says: "Y'all I didn't drink all year. I didn't drink all year!"

But in response, one user - named Lorenzo - called on the chart-topping star to release her long-awaited new album, while he also mocked her appearance.

Lorenzo's message read: "We want an album forehead (sic)"

However, Rihanna - who hasn't released an album since 'Anti' in 2016 - was quick to fire back at the troll.

She said: "Listen, Lorenzo! You ain’t cute enough to be calling me by my Black name, you dizzy f***! (sic)"

Rihanna has largely focused on her fashion and beauty brands in recent years.

The singer has enjoyed huge success with her Fenty Beauty brand, and Rihanna previously revealed that she's very hands-on with the company's products.

The award-winning star - who founded the beauty brand back in 2017 - told TIME magazine: "I have 100 percent involvement in this process, which is what makes this so special and very fun.

"I have so much creative freedom from products to packaging, and that’s really the only way this brand will stay true to my vision for it."

Rihanna is keen to continue breaking boundaries in the fashion and beauty industry.

The 'Take a Bow' hitmaker - who also has a lingerie and loungewear brand, called Savage X Fenty - shared: "The options are pretty much unlimited in the world of beauty, and I love challenges, so I’m going to continue to have fun and push the boundaries in this industry."

Wayne Osmond dead aged 73

Osmond dead aged 73

Photo: Michael Putland - RetnaUK © AVALON

Wayne Osmond has died aged 73.

World-renowned as one of the members of beloved family music act The Osmonds, the singer’s family announced on Thursday (02.01.25) he died peacefully on New Year’s Day surrounded by his wife and children.

They said in a statement obtained by ABC affiliate KTVX: “His legacy of faith, music, love, and laughter have influenced the lives of many people around the world.”

Addressing his fervent faith, the tribute added: “He would want everyone to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, that families are forever, and that banana splits are the best dessert.

“We love him and will miss him dearly.”

A cause of death has not yet been released – but Wayne’s brother Merrill added to KTVX his brother suffered a “massive stroke”.

Wayne’s daughter Amy Cook also took to Facebook to announce her father’s death, calling him a “beloved husband and father”.

She said he had “passed away peacefully” surrounded by “his loving wife and five children”.

Wayne was married to Kathlyn White and the couple had five children.

The singer is also survived by his siblings Virl, Tom, Alan, Merrill, Jay, Donny, Marie and Jimmy.

Born in 1951 and raised in Ogden, Utah, Wayne teamed up with his brothers to form a barbershop quartet.

The group then expanded to include their brothers Alan, Merrill, Jay, Donny, and Jimmy.

He survived cancer and battled cognitive and hearing impairments from childhood.

Wayne told ‘Coping’ magazine how his health went downhill while touring with his brothers in 1994: “One day when I was working in Branson, I noticed I couldn’t play my saxophone anymore because my head would start throbbing.

“And my knees would fall out from under me when I was on stage. This all began happening within a week.”

Wayne was then diagnosed with ependymoma cancer and endured a 17-hour surgery to remove a tumour, followed by weeks of radiation therapy before he was allowed to return to the stage.

British rapper Stormzy banned from driving for using phone behind wheel of his Rolls-Royce

Rapper banned from driving

Photo: The Canadian Press

FILE - Stormzy performs at the Reading Music Festival, England, Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Scott Garfitt, File)

British rapper Stormzy was banned from driving for nine months on Thursday after admitting he drove his Rolls-Royce through London while using his phone.

The 31-year-old, whose real name is Michael Ebenazer Owuo Jr., is known for bringing the grime genre of rap into the commercial mainstream. His debut “Gang Signs and Prayer” won album of the year at the Brit Awards in 2018, where he was named best male British solo artist — an honor he won again in 2020.

His record on the road, however, isn’t good, a judge said at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court.

District judge Andrew Sweet said that Stormzy’s actions were “dangerous and irresponsible.”

Stormzy previously put “vulnerable road users at risk” when he drove a Lamborghini Urus with illegally tinted windows, prosecutor Alice Holloway said. The windows only allowed 4% light transmission — a tiny fraction of the 70% required for tinting.

Stormzy, who wasn’t in court for the hearing, pleaded guilty in writing to the cellphone driving charge from March. He had previously admitted to the 2023 tinting offense and also had a record of speeding.

The rapper was also fined 2,010 pounds ($2,500) and penalty points were added to his license.

Defense lawyer Peter Csemiczky said that Stormzy apologized and accepted responsibility.

Driving bans are handed down regularly in England for traffic offenses. They can be discretionary or mandatory for using a phone while driving, depending on the nature of the offense.

British rapper Stormzy banned from driving for using phone behind wheel of his Rolls-Royce

Rapper banned from driving

Photo: AP

FILE - Stormzy performs at the Reading Music Festival, England, Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. 

British rapper Stormzy was banned from driving for nine months on Thursday after admitting he drove his Rolls-Royce through London while using his phone.

The 31-year-old whose real name is Michael Ebenazer Owuo Jr. is known for bringing the grime genre of rap into the commercial mainstream. His debut “Gang Signs and Prayer” won album of the year at the Brit Awards in 2018, where he was named best male British solo artist — an honor he won again in 2020.

His record on the road, however, isn't good, a judge said at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court.

District judge Andrew Sweet said that Stormzy’s actions were “dangerous and irresponsible."

Stormzy previously put “vulnerable road users at risk” when he drove a Lamborghini Urus with illegally tinted windows, prosecutor Alice Holloway said. The windows only allowed 4% light transmission — a tiny fraction of the 70% required for tinting.

Stormzy, who wasn't in court for the hearing, pleaded guilty in writing to the cellphone driving charge from March. He had previously admitted the 2023 tinting offense and also had a record of speeding.

Defense lawyer Peter Csemiczky said that Stormzy apologized and accepted responsibility.

The artist was fined 2,010 pounds ($2,500) and penalty points were added to his license.

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, returns to Instagram and posts a New Year's video

Duchess returns to Insta

Photo: The Canadian Press

Meghan Markle arrives at the Paley Honors Fall Gala on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, is starting the new year with her first Instagram account since 2020.

The Associated Press confirmed Wednesday that @meghan belongs to the Duchess of Sussex. Her first post is a black and white video of herself at the beach, wearing white and drawing 2025 in the sand on an overcast day. The account already has more than 200,000 followers.

Meghan and Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, were married in 2018, and were initially part of @KensingtonRoyal, which also included Harry's brother, Prince William, and his wife, Kate, the Princess of Wales. But a year later, Meghan and Harry launched their own account, @SussexRoyal, a sign of their growing distance from the royal family. @SussexRoyal was discontinued in 2020, around the time that Meghan and Harry announced they were stepping back from their official roles.

Meghan, who had a popular Instagram account when she was best known for her role in “Suits,” had indicated she would return. In a 2022 interview with New York Magazine's The Cut, she confided: “Do you want to know a secret? I’m getting back … on Instagram."

At other times, she sounded reluctant to return to Instagram, citing concerns about harassment. In 2023, Meghan and Harry urged social media platforms to strengthen content-moderation policies, saying that some apps could damage the mental health of young people.

 

 

 

 

 

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Here's how to watch the New Year's Eve festivities in Canada

NYE on Canadian TV

Photo: The Canadian Press

The new year is fast approaching. If you want to enjoy the fireworks, countdowns, and awkward live performances without ever leaving your cozy setup, you’ve got plenty of options. Jelly Roll, left, embraces Ryan Seacrest during the Times Square New Year's Eve celebration on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in New York. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP

The new year is fast approaching and if you want to enjoy the fireworks, countdowns, and awkward live performances without ever leaving your cozy setup, you’ve got plenty of options.

Here’s a guide to the best ways to watch the festivities from the comfort of your couch.

22 MINUTES NEW YEAR’S EVE PREGAME SPECIAL

Chortle your way into 2025 with an hour of skits from CBC’s longest-running comedy series, “The Hour Has 22 Minutes.” Aba Amuquandoh, Chris Wilson and Mark Critch and the rest of the ensemble cast will be joined by friends including comedian Colin Mochrie and “The Great Canadian Baking Show” host Alan Shane Lewis. Wilson’s impressions of Justin Trudeau and Pierre Poilievre are bound to join the fun.

8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBC News Network, CBC Gem and the CBC News YouTube channel

CANADA LIVE! COUNTDOWN 2025

CBC says it’s delivering the ultimate coast-to-coast celebration, counting down to the new year across all six of Canada’s time zones. A couple of “The National” anchors will steer the proceedings — Adrienne Arsenault, who’ll be joined by singer Jann Arden in Toronto, and Ian Hanomansing, teaming up with comedian Ali Hassan in Vancouver.

8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBC News Network, CBC Gem and the CBC News YouTube channel

NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE WITH ANDERSON COOPER AND ANDY COHEN

Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen are back for their eighth consecutive year co-hosting CNN’s New Year’s bash from Times Square in New York City. Along with plenty of quippy one-liners and tipsy confessions, expect performances by Shania Twain, 50 Cent, Sting, Diplo and more.

8 p.m. ET on CNN

DICK CLARK’S NEW YEAR’S ROCKIN’ EVE WITH RYAN SEACREST

This marks the 20th consecutive year of Ryan Seacrest hosting the long-running special conceived by “American Bandstand” host Dick Clark. While you wonder where the last two decades went, Rita Ora will join as co-host in New York as the event leads up to the big ball drop in Times Square. Performers will include Alanis Morissette, the Jonas Brothers, T-Pain, and Lenny Kravitz.

8 p.m. ET on ABC

NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE: NASHVILLE’S BIG BASH

Country music’s biggest stars descend upon Music City for this five-hour special hosted by Grammy Award-winner Keith Urban and “Entertainment Tonight” host Rachel Smith. Post Malone, Kane Brown, Jelly Roll, Miranda Lambert, and Shaboozey will be among the many acts hitting the stage. Nashville will ring in the New Year with the East Coast at midnight, then keep the good times rolling through Central Time with the city's famous Music Note Drop at the Bicentennial Mall stage.

8 p.m. ET on CBS and streaming on Paramount Plus

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner 'spent Christmas together' - six years on from their divorce

Back for the holidays

Photo: © Getty Images

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner reportedly spent Christmas together.

The 52-year-old Hollywood star was married to '13 Going on 30' actress Jennifer, also 52, from 2005 until 2018 and has Violet, 19, Fin, 15, as well as 12-year-old Samuel with her but despite their split, insiders have claimed that they spent the holidays together for the sake of their children.

A source told People: "Jen and Ben were all together for Christmas. It's all for the kids. Jen grew up surrounded by her family for the holidays, and she wants the same for her kids."

Following their split, Ben went on to rekindle his relationship with pop superstar Jennifer Lopez, 55, almost 20 years after they called off their engagement and married in 2022 but she filed for divorce earlier this year.

Meanwhile, 'Yes Day' star Jennifer has dated businessman John C. Miller on and off since 2018 and despite their brief split in 2020, it was thought that they got back together in 2021.

Earlier this year, Ben and his first wife volunteered at Thanksgiving Street Fair where they spent the day feeding the homeless.

An insider said: "They truly enjoy giving back to their community and cherishing quality time together as a family."

Another source claimed at the time that Jennifer wants to "include" her ex-husband in her life because the children like it when they are all together but also insisted at the time that their relationship is completely platonic.

They said: "She will continue to make sure that they spend time together as a family and include Ben. The kids enjoy when they all spend time together.

"Jen's grateful that Ben's doing well. They are friends, but that's it.."