Darius McCrary, best remembered as Eddie Winslow from the beloved ’90s sitcom Family Matters, found himself in a very real-life drama earlier this month.
The 49-year-old actor made his first court appearance following a felony arrest tied to an out-of-state warrant related to a long-running child support case. As previously reported, McCrary was picked up by U.S. Border Patrol near the California-Mexico border on Sunday, October 5, after failing to appear in court in Michigan.
At the hearing on October 15, McCrary made the unconventional choice to represent himself…. In footage obtained by TMZ, McCrary told the court, “I’m here on special appearance,” repeating the phrase multiple times. The judge, clearly puzzled, responded, “Especially appearing for whom?”
RELATED:‘Family Matters’ Star Darius McCrary Arrested Near California-Mexico Border
McCrary doubled down: “Specially appearing for Darius McCrary. I’m here. I’m here.”
The judge wasn’t buying it. Concluding that McCrary didn’t fully grasp the legal stakes, the court appointed a public defender to step in. According to TMZ, the judge said McCrary “is unable to understand and appreciate the legalities of these proceedings.” Ultimately Bail was denied.
Now, McCrary waits behind bars in a San Diego jail, pending extradition to Michigan. Authorities in Oakland County have 30 days to transfer him back across state lines. If they don’t, McCrary is scheduled to reappear in court on November 14.
Meanwhile, McCrary’s spokesperson, Ann Barlow, told Fox News Digital the actor is ready to fight back.
“We are gearing up for the fight with Oakland County as they have repeatedly violated Mr.
McCrary’s due process and rights,” Barlow said.
Now, this isn’t McCrary’s first brush with the law over child support issues. Prosecutors highlighted that this is his third arrest related to the same dispute… previous detentions occurred in 2015 and again in 2023.
Just last year, McCrary was extradited from Los Angeles to Michigan under similar circumstances, ABC News reported.
As for what he was doing near the border? Prosecutors claimed he was chasing real estate opportunities in Mexico. His defense painted a different picture: a man on a mission to help.
“Darius was picked up at the Border of Mexico because he was partnering with a real estate developer that is building homes for the homeless in Tijuana, Mexico,” Barlow explained. “Darius was doing a GOOD DEED when he discovered he had a felony warrant at the Border of Mexico for a missed court appearance.”
According to Barlow, that missed court date was not intentional. She says the court notice was mailed to a P.O. Box, giving McCrary only three days to show up in Michigan. Complicating things further, she says he had COVID at the time and didn’t check his mail until it was too late.
“However, he immediately notified the judge with a doctor’s note diagnosis of COVID,” she added.
One thing’s clear… the nostalgia doesn’t grant immunity, and McCrary’s real-life role is now under the harsh spotlight of the legal system.