Randy Quaid and his wife Evi are out of jail and feeling great.
“It’s a very big relief to have been vindicated to a great extent,” Quaid said in an interview with ABC News. He also praised judge Alison Arms, who ordered the Quaids’ release on Thursday. “It was like someone understands our situation.”
Arms reviewed the case against the Quaids and initially reduced their bail from $500,000 to $50,000. However, Arms then determined that there was no legal basis for the Quaids to remain incarcerated in Vermont. They were both released immediately without having to post bail.
Randy told reporters outside the courthouse that he looks forward to staying in the town of Lincoln, Vermont, and would like to join its fire department, according to the Burlington Free Press.
The actor, known for his work in such films as “Independence Day” and the “National Lampoon’s: Vacation” franchise, and his wife were detained at the Vermont border on Oct. 9 while trying to enter the U.S. from Canada.
They are considered fugitives, wanted in Santa Barbara, California, on felony vandalism charges from 2010 after authorities said they were found squatting in the guesthouse of a home they previously owned.
The couple allegedly skipped several court appearances and fled to Canada, where Evi was granted citizenship. Randy Quaid was denied his request for permanent residency in Canada.
The Santa Barbara district attorney’s office vowed to continue its efforts to bring the couple to justice.
“We were prepared for this possibility and had already begun the process of seeking a Governor’s warrant,” the district attorney’s office said in a statement to TheWrap, referring to a warrant that would allow for the Quaids to be extradited.
The process for obtaining such a warrant in California typically takes 60 to 90 days. In the meantime, the district attorney’s office said the couple will likely be arrested if they leave Vermont, in accordance with a previously existing warrant.
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