Canada Cool with Quazy Quaids
Actor Randy Quaid and Wife, Evi, Allowed to Stay in Vancouver
Though actor Randy Quaid and his wife, Evi, have a court hearing scheduled for Monday morning, it doesn’t look like they’ll be showing up in a Santa Barbara courthouse anytime soon.
The Canadian Border Services Agency, according to the Quaids’ attorney at a press conference Wednesday in Canada, withdrew proceedings against Randy Quaid to have him deported. Evi Quaid was able to become a Canadian citizen because her father was born in Canada, and she is attempting to sponsor her husband’s citizenship in the country.
The couple, who are facing a felony vandalism charge and additional trespassing charge, have a civil hearing scheduled for Monday. That’s when Lanette Turicchi — who currently owns with her husband the East Mountain Drive home in which the Quaids were allegedly squatting when they were arrested — will attempt to get a restraining order against the odd-acting duo.
In court papers, Turicchi alleged that Evi showed up to the Turicchi’s Pasadena home one day, and that the couple also sent her a threatening letter. The Quaids have alleged that they never sold the East Mountain Drive home and are the rightful owners of the property.
They also claimed at one time to be on the run from the Celebrity Star Whackers, an allegedly monstrous ring of criminals who have been involved in the deaths of many close actor friends of Randy Quaid, an actor known for his roles in such films as Brokeback Mountain, Independence Day, and, most famously, the National Lampoon’s Vacation series. The Quaids showed up in Canada after the couple missed a Santa Barbara court date and a warrant was issued for their arrest.
While Randy will not be deported, the refugee and citizenship hearings, which could take more than a year, still need to take place. Senior Deputy DA Lee Carter said it remains to be seen what will happen with the criminal charges here in Santa Barbara. “The Santa Barbara District Attorney’s Office is still exploring every option to have the Quaids return to this jurisdiction to face the charges pending against them,” he said.
The Quaids’ Canadian attorney, Catherine Sas, didn’t return a phone call Wednesday afternoon.
In 2009, the eccentric pair was arrested for allegedly not paying a $10,000 bill at the San Ysidro Ranch. The couple missed multiple court dates then, and when they did show, they continued their odd behavior, often armed with props such as Quaid’s 1988 Golden Globe award. Charges against Randy were dropped in that case, and Evi pleaded no contest to a downgraded misdemeanor charge of defrauding an innkeeper. She was sentenced to three years’ probation and 240 hours of community service.
