'I've been vindicated': Randy Quaid speaks out after he and wife Evi were freed on American soil for the first time since 2010

  • Randy and Evi Quaid were arrested on Saturday by U.S. border officials
  • Pair were on the run in Canada for five years over burglary charges
  • They had been in jail waiting to be extradited to California to face trial
  • But yesterday judge ruled there was not enough evidence and freed them
  • Today pair say they have been 'vindicated' and maintained their innocence
  • But California officials warn they could be jailed again if the leave Vermont

Troubled actor Randy Quaid and his wife Evi have spoken out a day after a judge ordered them released from jail on American soil for the first time since 2010.

Quaid, 65, has been on the run in Canada with his wife for the last five years after felony charges were filed against the pair in California for allegedly squatting in their old home.

They the U.S. over the weekend and were being held by immigration officials in Vermont until yesterday, when a judge ruled there was not enough evidence to have them extradited to California.

Speaking to ABC News today while smiling and clutching a cigar, Quaid said: 'It is a very big relief to have been vindicated to a great extent. 

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Randy Quiad, 65, has spoken out for the first time since he was released from jail on U.S. soil yesterday, saying he has been 'vindicated' and hopes to return to acting

Randy Quiad, 65, has spoken out for the first time since he was released from jail on U.S. soil yesterday, saying he has been 'vindicated' and hopes to return to acting

Evi Quaid

Quaid and wife Evgenia, known as Evi, were on the run in Canada from felony burglary and vandalism charges filed in California for five years before returning to Vermont yesterday

'I would just like to thank everyone for all of their nice thoughts and I hope they will see me real soon out there on the big screen or the small screen or wherever it may be.'

The judge's ruling means the pair are now allowed to live in Vermont, however, officials have warned that if they try to leave the state, they will likely find themselves behind bars again.

The District Attorney from Santa Barbara, where charges against the couple were initially filed, said: 'Should the Quaids leave Vermont and enter another state, we expect they will be arrested.'

Yesterday, the Quiads said they were committed to proving themselves innocent of felony charges of burglary and vandalism after they allegedly trashed the guest house of their old home while squatting there.

Asked today for their views on the dispute, Evi Quaid replied 'we own our own house,' before Randy added: 'Basically that this is just a property dispute.'

The pair appeared in court yesterday charged with being fugitives from justice and were facing extradition to California, but were instead set free due to a lack of evidence 

The pair appeared in court yesterday charged with being fugitives from justice and were facing extradition to California, but were instead set free due to a lack of evidence 

The Quiads left the U.S. for Canada in 2010 shortly after they were first arrested, though they claim they were unaware charges had been filed until they were out of the country.

Once north of the border, they tried and failed to claim asylum on the basis that a celebrity hit squad was out to get them, saying they were afraid to return home.

Still wearing their prison jumpsuits, the pair shared an embrace outside court yesterday while celebrating their victory 

Still wearing their prison jumpsuits, the pair shared an embrace outside court yesterday while celebrating their victory 

Evi, whose father is Canadian, applied for full citizenship and in 2012 her application was granted.

However, Randy's application was denied, and faced with the prospect of being returned to the U.S. he absconded from a 2013 court hearing and went missing for two years. 

In April this year he was sent back to court after reappearing in Toronto, and begged to be allowed to stay in Canada with his wife.

He was ultimately allowed to stay, but was told to attend regular meetings with border officials, before being arrested at one of those meetings last week, being deemed a flight risk.

Two days later the couple were arrested in Vermont by U.S. immigration officials, and sent to court charged with being fugitives from justice.

The pair appeared in court yesterday where they were initially told they would be freed into Vermont, but only after stumping up a $50,000 bond each.

However, the judge later revised her decision, saying they were free to go with no bond.

Speaking after his release, Randy told news stations including Local 22 and ABC: 'I'm glad the judge was fair, and took the time to get her decision correct, and I feel like this stage of it is very much in our favor.

'As far as the overall case back in California goes we have always said we are innocent, but I don't want to get involved with that case.'

However, the pair still face having to clear their names in California, and have been warned by the Santa Barbara district attorney that they will likely be arrested again if they leave Vermont

However, the pair still face having to clear their names in California, and have been warned by the Santa Barbara district attorney that they will likely be arrested again if they leave Vermont

Before leaving Canada, Randy was arrested during a meeting with border officials last Wednesday as a bizarre video of him and his wife emerged online of them drinking and bickering in a park

Before leaving Canada, Randy was arrested during a meeting with border officials last Wednesday as a bizarre video of him and his wife emerged online of them drinking and bickering in a park

It is unclear if the ruling would allow Quaid to return to Canada.

Canadian courts couldn't find enough evidence to extradite him, and the U.S. Supreme Court stated in 2011 that it has no interest in pursuing his extradition.

After being freed, Evi and Randy, who recently recorded a bizarre video of themselves ranting and arguing in a park while drinking champagne, shared a hug.

Randy, who was still wearing his convict jumpsuit, then joked with reporters asking if there were any prison movies filming nearby.

The couple were first arrested in 2010 in California, accused of felony burglary and vandalism for breaking into a property they used to own, before going on the run to Canada

The couple were first arrested in 2010 in California, accused of felony burglary and vandalism for breaking into a property they used to own, before going on the run to Canada

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