A judge in Dakota County has upheld the Harassment Restraining Order requested by David Rucki and his daughter, Samantha Rucki, against Dede Evavold, describing Evavold’s threatening behavior toward the Rucki family as “evil.”
“In the 34+ years the undersigned has served as a District or Senior Judge, never have I seen a case that represents harassment most evil,” wrote Judge Philip Kanning in his order released yesterday. “The Respondent’s actions have been intended to terrify, threaten and invade the privacy of the Petitioner and his minor children,” adding Judge Kanning.
Evavold was convicted in September 2016 of six felonies for her role in the disappearance of Samantha Rucki and her sister Gianna, who were abducted near their home on Lakeville by their mother Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, during a custody and divorce proceeding.
On July 28, 2017, a court in Dakota County found that “an immediate and present danger of harassment” by Evavold exists to warrant the granting of a Harassment Restraining Order (HRO) requested by David Rucki and his daughter, Samantha Rucki, against Evavold
In the last year, Evavold has repeatedly violated the explicit terms of her probation and the HRO by continuing to reference the Rucki family in her use of social media. Evavold’s blog has posted pictures of the Rucki family, their home in Lakeville, and the address to the home, in violation of the HRO and the conditions of her probation.
In March, a warrant was issued today for the arrest of Evavold after she ignored a previous court order which ordered Evavold to “remove ALL blogs/postings, social media postings, or internet postings” about David Rucki, his children, and other members of the Rucki family which violated the HRO.
Evavold was arrested days later while hiding inside her home. She was later released from jail to remove the remaining online material which violates the HRO.
Criminal trial for Evavold’s harassment of Rucki family will proceed
Evavold was charged in September 2017 with three criminal counts of violating the HRO.
Her criminal trial for her repeated HRO violations was scheduled for Monday, but the trial was postponed to allow for Judge Kanning’s decision to dismiss or uphold the HRO.
A judge warned Evavold at a court hearing in Dakota County last October that she could face additional criminal charges, including gross misdemeanor and felony charges if she continues to violate the HRO. Evavold violated the HRO just hours after being warned by the judge.
Since Judge Kanning upheld the HRO, Evavold’s criminal trial will proceed.
New probation violations to be filed against Evavold
In August 2017, Dakota County Community Corrections filed a Probation Violation Report with Dakota County District Court. At a court hearing last November, Assistant Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena requested the hearing be postponed in part to allow Keena to file new probation violations against Evavold.
Dakota County Community Corrections wants Evavold back in jail for repeatedly violating the terms of her probation.
Judge Karen Asphaug scheduled the next hearing for September 5, 2018 (previously scheduled for June 6, 2018), where a determination will be made if Evavold has violated the conditions of her probation.
Follow Missing in Minnesota on Twitter and Facebook for the latest developments on Evavold’s next appearance in court.
Below is the full order from Judge Kanning.
Allison Mann contributed to this story.
