New effort to extradite Randy and Evi Quaid from Canada fails
(CBS/AP) SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Actor Randy Quaid and his wife Evi won't be extradited to the United States from Canada.
That means the couple who claimed to be running from "Hollywood star whackers" can continue living in Vancouver.
The latest request to seek the Quaids' extradition came from the Santa Barbara County district attorney and was denied by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The Quaids face charges of felony vandalism in Santa Barbara.
In explaining its denial, the justice department cites the resource-intensive and lengthy process involved and says extradition is generally reserved for more serious offenses.
The Quaids' legal counsel, Catherine Sas, says the extradition denial is consistent with what her clients have been saying all along - that they've done nothing wrong.
The couple crossed into Canada last October and sought refugee status, claiming "Hollywood star whackers" were out to get them.
Evi Quaid was later found to be the daughter of a Canadian and gained citizenship -- she's now sponsoring her husband.
The Quaids will be arrested if they return to the U.S. because warrants for them are still in effect.