Actor Randy Quaid is escorted from an Immigration and Refugee Board hearing in Vancouver, B.C., on Friday October 22, 2010.Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press
Despite their dramatic bid for refugee status in Canada to avoid, they claim, being murdered in the United States, Oscar-nominated actor Randy Quaid and his wife are expected to go home next week for a court hearing, says their U.S. lawyer.
The possibility raises questions about the couple's refugee bid, set to continue this week with a Thursday hearing before the Immigration and Refugee Board in Vancouver.
Robert Sanger, a Santa Barbara lawyer acting for the 60-year-old Mr. Quaid and his 47-year-old wife Evi, said he is expecting his clients in Santa Monica next week for a court hearing on charges related to squatting in a house they once owned, and vandalizing the property.
"I have every expectation they will be there," Mr. Sanger said in a brief interview Tuesday.
But Mr. Sanger, speaking from his office in Santa Barbara, said he could not comment further or discuss how this would affect the couple's refugee bid.
He noted that he told a court hearing Tuesday that his clients would be back in California.
The Quaids have been in custody since their arrest in Vancouver on Oct. 21 on outstanding arrest warrants. An official with the Immigration and Refugee Board ordered their release on $10,000 bond and various reporting conditions. However, the Canada Border Services Agency said Monday the couple remained in custody, but declined to elaborate.
Their Canadian lawyer Brian Tsuji has been refusing comment to the media on the case.
But there was some good news for the couple Tuesday: their dog is safe. Wendy Stewart, a spokesperson for the City of Vancouver, said the dog, which was seized by police and turned over to the city shelter when the couple was arrested, is doing well.
"It's in good health and being cared for by staff," said Ms. Stewart.
She said a representative for the couple is scheduled to collect the dog shortly and settle the account for its care. "We're discussing that process," said Ms. Stewart.
Mr. Quaid was nominated for a best supporting actor Oscar for his work in the 1973 film, The Last Detail. His career has included work in films ranging from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation to Days of Thunder, Independence Day and Brokeback Mountain.
During their hearing last week, the Quaids released a written statement declaring they feared being murdered in the United States by "Hollywood Star Whackers."
Mr. Quaid is the older brother of actor Dennis Quaid. Over the weekend, a spokesman for Dennis Quaid's agent declined comment when asked by The Globe and Mail if the actor had anything to say about the case, indicating it was not their policy to comment on their clients' personal lives.
The couple have been dogged by legal troubles for skipping a court date over the issue with the Santa Barbara home, and also have faced charges for allegedly defrauding an innkeeper in Motecito, Calif.
Mr. Quaid told the hearing they travelled to the Lower Mainland because he wanted to restart his career in Vancouver.
Ian Bailey