Family Matters Fugitive Denied Bail

Summary

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Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present

Episode: Family Matters Fugitive Denied Bail

Date: October 16, 2025
Hosts: Amy Robach & TJ Holmes

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Episode Overview

This episode delves into the surprising legal troubles of Darius McCrary, best known as Eddie Winslow from the 90s sitcom Family Matters. Robach and Holmes unpack the events leading to McCrary being denied bail after a bizarre court appearance stemming from unpaid child support and his arrest at the U.S.-Mexico border. The hosts explore the confusing details around his attempted self-representation, his reported reasons for being at the border, and the broader narrative of child actors and legal troubles.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Darius McCrary: From Sitcom Star to Jail Cell

• Background on McCrary: Once a household TV name, Darius McCrary played Eddie Winslow on Family Matters, a landmark show for its prominent Black cast and depiction of a middle-class Black family.
  • “Still to this day, all these years later, Jaleel Wright White. I think a lot of people know that name immediately. Urkel from Family Matters.” — Amy Robach (04:46)
• Surprise and Sadness: The hosts reflect on the tragic transition from wholesome television stardom to public legal struggles and mug shots.
  • “Darius McCrary is the same, despite all he’s facing, even his mug shot...you recognize that face from the show.” — DJ Holmes (05:19)

2. Legal Troubles: Child Support, Missed Court Dates, and Alleged Flight

• The Charges: McCrary owes $95,000 in child support back pay—an amount that accumulated over time.
  • “According to reports, he owes $95,000 in back pay of child support payments. That’s significant.” — DJ Holmes (06:21)
• Missed Court Date Leads to ARREST: He failed to appear in Michigan court, reportedly due to a notice sent to a PO box and claiming illness from COVID-19.
  • “He claims he had Covid and was really sick and that’s why he hadn’t gone to check his P.O. box.” — DJ Holmes (11:41)
• Circumstances of Arrest: Arrested at the U.S.-Mexico border near Tijuana, not while leaving but upon re-entry. Multiple explanations for his presence in Mexico have muddled the narrative.
  • “[He] claims, accidentally crossed the border into Mexico.” — Amy Robach (08:11)
  • “The confusing thing is...he’s saying he didn’t mean to go to Mexico...You can’t accidentally go to Mexico.” — DJ Holmes (09:29, 10:13)

3. Bizarre Court Appearance & Attempted Self-Representation

• Erratic Behavior: McCrary tried to represent himself during his bail hearing, confusing the judge with references to “special appearances” and constitutional rights. The judge ultimately ordered a court-appointed attorney, citing his inability to grasp the situation.
  • “At the beginning of the hearing, he addressed the judge saying, ‘I’d like to say I’m here on special appearance.’ The judge was very confused…” — DJ Holmes (23:26)
  • “She finally got to a point and say, all right, we need to wrap this up. Go get a lawyer. We’re gonna assign you one.” — Amy Robach (24:57)

4. On Child Actors and Public Struggles

• The hosts reference the broader pattern of child stars dealing with adult legal and personal troubles, highlighting both empathy and public scrutiny.
  • “You just hate to see it. But, yeah, like anybody else, people have issues and problems in life and try to do their best.” — Amy Robach (25:39)
  • “Usually not with the spectacle of cameras and people trying to discern, you know, at your lowest point, to know that everybody’s watching and listening.” — DJ Holmes (25:59)

5. Contradictory Stories About the Mexico Trip

• Building Homes or Buying Property?: McCrary claimed he went to Mexico to volunteer with the Esperanza program to build homes for the homeless; his agent previously stated he was looking at property.
  • “He said he was caught at the border...because he was going to Tijuana to build homes for the homeless...His agent initially said that he was in Tijuana because he was looking at property.” — DJ Holmes (08:35)
  • “Esperanza program. So...he volunteered to build homes for unhoused individuals. That is exactly what the name of the organization is.” — DJ Holmes (13:50)
• The hosts attempt to confirm the existence of the Esperanza program and ponder if McCrary’s volunteer story could be true.
  • “For 30 years. The Esperanza program. All right.” — Amy Robach (14:29)

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the Uncanny Child-Star Downfall
  • “Unfortunately, he’s making the kind of news and the kind of history nobody wants to make.” — DJ Holmes (06:21)
• Border Crossing Logic
  • “You don’t accidentally cross into Mexico. Okay. It’s a process...” — DJ Holmes (10:13)
• Legal Confusion
  • “At the beginning of the hearing, he addressed the judge saying, ‘I’d like to say I’m here on special appearance.’ The judge was very confused…” — DJ Holmes (23:26)
• Empathy for Public Struggle
  • “You just hate to see it. But, yeah, like anybody else, people have issues and problems in life and try to do their best to make them right.” — Amy Robach (25:39)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Background on Darius McCrary & “Family Matters”: 03:29–06:21
• Legal Trouble & Missed Court Date: 06:21–07:36
• Arrest at the Border & Conflicting Stories: 07:36–09:19, 09:29–11:33
• Discussion of McCrary’s Court Appearance: 22:32–24:57
• Hosts’ Reflections on Child Stars & Public Scrutiny: 25:06–26:40

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Tone & Style

The episode is conversational, empathetic, and sometimes incredulous—balancing entertainment with a sense of public concern. The hosts display clear dismay at seeing a former pop culture figure in distress, while maintaining some irreverent humor (“You can’t accidentally go to Mexico”) and skepticism toward the shifting stories.

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Summary

This episode offers a thorough look at the curious and troubling developments in the legal saga of Darius McCrary. With references to his sitcom legacy and the avalanche of personal challenges, Robach and Holmes break down the convoluted border incident, the missed legal deadlines, and the bizarre courtroom performance. Their skepticism about his explanations is evident, but there’s also a strong thread of empathy for the fallen star and surprise at how quickly fortunes can shift in the public eye.

Listeners leave with a clear understanding of the facts and confusion surrounding the case, as well as the emotional resonance the story carries for fans of McCrary and Family Matters.

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Transcript

[Podcast Host / Narrator]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn) / Ed Helms]

Hey, audiobook lovers. I'm Kalpen. I'm Ed Helms. Ed and I are inviting you to join the best sounding book club you've ever heard with our new podcast, Irsay the Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club. Each week we sit down with your favorite iHeart podcast hosts and some very special guests to discuss the latest and greatest audiobooks from Audible, listen to earsay on America's number one podcast network, iHeart. Follow earsay and start listening on the free iHeartradio app today. Hello, America's sweetheart. Johnny Knoxville here. I want to tell you about my new true crime podcast, Crimeless Hillbilly Heist from Smartless Media, Campside Media and Big Money Players. It's a wild tale about a gang of high functioning nitwits who somehow pulled off America's third largest cash heist.

[Amy Robach]

Kind of like Robin Hood, except for.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn) / Ed Helms]

The part where he steals from the rich and gives to the poor.

[Amy Robach]

I'm not that jerk.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn) / Ed Helms]

It's a damn near inspiring true story for anyone out there who's ever shot for the moon, then just totally muffed up the landing. They stole $17 million and had not bought a ticket to help him escape.

[Amy Robach]

So we're sitting like, oh God, what do we do? What do we do? That was dumb.

[DJ Holmes]

People, do not follow my example.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn) / Ed Helms]

Listen to Crimeless Hillbilly Heist on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Maggie Freeling]

The murder of an 18 year old girl in Graves County, Kentucky went unsolved for years until a local housewife, a journalist and a handful of girls came forward with a story.

[Amy Robach]

America, y' all better wake the hell up. Bad things happens to good people in small towns.

[Maggie Freeling]

Listen to Graves county on the iHeartRadio app, Apple PODC, or wherever you get your podcasts. And to binge the entire season ad free. Subscribe to Lava for Good plus on Apple Podcasts.

[Jonathan Goldstein]

I'm Jonathan Goldstein. And on the new season of Heavyweight. And so I pointed the gun at him and said, this isn't a joke. A man who robbed a bank when he was 14 years old and a centenarian rediscovers a love lost 80 years ago.

[DJ Holmes]

How can one year old woman fall in love? Love again.

[Jonathan Goldstein]

Listen to heavyweight on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Podcast Host / Narrator]

In early 1988, federal agents raced to track down the gang they suspect of importing millions of dollars worth of heroin into New York from Asia.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn) / Ed Helms]

Had 30 agents ready to Go with shotguns and rifles and you name it.

[DJ Holmes]

Five, six white people pushed me in the car. I'm going, what the hell?

[Kalpen (Kal Penn) / Ed Helms]

Basically, your stay at home moms were picking up these large amounts of heroin.

[Amy Robach]

All you gotta do is receive the package. Don't have to open it, just accept it.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn) / Ed Helms]

She was very upset, crying.

[Amy Robach]

Once I saw the gun, I tried to take his hand and I saw.

[DJ Holmes]

The flash of light.

[Podcast Host / Narrator]

Listen to the Chinatown sting on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

[Amy Robach]

Hey there, folks. It is Thursday, October 16, and the former star of a Belove 90s sitcom is sitting in jail right now. A judge refusing to let him out of jail. All over. Yes, a family matter. And with that, welcome to this episode of Amy and TJ Robes. You used that line before. It is literally true. The former star of Family Matters is sitting in jail, denied by bail right now over a family issue.

[Jonathan Goldstein]

Correct.

[DJ Holmes]

Yes. The family matters theme is sticking with him, but not in a good way for Darius McCrary. He's 49 years old, made his first court appearance yesterday. This story is bizarre. And his behavior in court was even more bizarre, I would say, concerning. It seemed as if he was not all together.

[Amy Robach]

Yeah, he was trying to represent himself and maybe he was a little confused about the process. He was. The judge was confused at times that we could clearly hear. But I don't think I would have known, first of all, his name. Darius McCrary. Would that have immediately.

[DJ Holmes]

No, I would not have known his name. But you know his face.

[Amy Robach]

Oh, of course. Oh, my goodness. It's unmistakable. Still to this day, all these years later, Jaleel Wright White. I think a lot of people know that name immediately. Urkel from Family Matters and this show. I didn't realize he had a great run. Yeah, the show was on for nine seasons. That's the first five. They were getting 20 million plus. Wow.

[DJ Holmes]

Back in the day, right?

[Amy Robach]

What the actual hell. But this was a big deal of a sitcom because it features one of the few featured prominently black cast, focused on a middle class black family. And he was the older brother.

[DJ Holmes]

Yes. People have said he's kind of like the Malcolm Jamal Warner of Family Matters. Basically, there were people who are making comparisons and he has that same look in the same way. When we heard, of course, the tragic news about Malcolm Jamal, you saw where he was how many years decades later, and he still had that same smile, that same face. And truly, Darius McCrary is the same, despite all he's facing, even his mug shot. If you pull it up, is a big smile on his face and you recognize that face from the show Family Matters all those years ago.

[Amy Robach]

But yes, his name is not the one that jumps out, I think obviously because of Die Hard, Reginald Bell Johnson, who played the dad in that show. Obviously I love that guy. But this was. He ends up getting this show because of that role and his stardom in Die Hard. So all these things came together to actually give this kid, give Darius McCrary, a pretty wonderful opportunity. And now he has a place really robes in television and broadcast and sitcom history because of the role he played.

[DJ Holmes]

And unfortunately, he's making the kind of news and the kind of history nobody wants to make. You know, a lot of people point to child actors and problems and tough times, and it seems as though one can only assume he's been in some sort of financial distress because these charges are back pay for child support payments. And according to reports, he owes $95,000 in back pay of child support payments. That's significant.

[Amy Robach]

Yes, and that has to accumulate over time, if that actually is true. But that is out of Michigan, he claims. And this is where we get into. And initially we were. You almost are scratching your head at best, giggling at worst at some of the reasoning and logic that came up to, to what happened. But he was, he missed a court appearance in Michigan and because of that, the arrest warrant was issued. So he was picked up and not being let out. Now, because this was a fugitive, they consider this a felony fugitive arrest when you're wanted and you don't turn yourself in. And then it appears he's trying to possibly flee the country. That is why he's sitting in jail now with no chance of getting out, no bail.

[DJ Holmes]

Bail was denied yesterday and he was apprehended at the border, at the Mexico border. So he is currently in San Diego right there, obviously near Tijuana. And there's all sorts of back and forth and confusion about why he was in Mexico in the first place. Because he was kinda in Mexico, kinda Tijuana. Well, he. So he was arrested actually trying to get back into the United States. That's when he was arrested, not when he was, when he, he claims, accidentally crossed the border into Mexico. Do you buy that?

[Amy Robach]

I can't make sense of it. It doesn't mean it didn't happen, doesn't mean it's not true. But, but he made the court appearance yesterday, but they say he was arrested on October 5th. 5th. So his, his lawyers and his, his, I guess his agent people had different Stories here, robes. But the official one he's going with right now is. Is what was he doing when he was caught?

[DJ Holmes]

So he claims. And by the way, he represented himself in yesterday's hearing, which was such a mess. The judge was like, nah, you need to have some legal representation because you don't know what the hell you're doing or talking about. We can get into that because what he said was bizarre and almost unintelligible at times. But he said that he was caught at the border because he was going to Tijuana to build homes for the homeless, but that he accidentally crossed into Mexico because he couldn't find the person he was supposed to meet. But his agent initially said that he was in Tijuana because he was looking at property in Tijuana. So there are multiple stories going around, none of which seem to be correct, but we don't know for sure.

[Amy Robach]

But real estate and building homes for the homeless kind of go together. Maybe those things are related and somebody's got. Don't have all the details. That's possible.

[DJ Holmes]

What the confusing thing is, though, that he's saying he didn't mean to go to Mexico. So despite some explanations as to why he was in Tijuana, now we're hearing him say he accidentally crossed the border.

[Amy Robach]

Because he was supposed to be meeting the guy in charge of the project and helping build the homes, and there was confusion about where they were supposed to meet, is the story.

[DJ Holmes]

Got it. So where is this guy? Because that could clear a lot of things up. I'm just saying if we could hear from him, I would feel better about this version of his story.

[Amy Robach]

So, yeah, you get confused. When you get confused about where to meet somebody, is it on this side of the street or is it on that side of the street?

[DJ Holmes]

You don't accidentally cross into Mexico. Okay. It's a process. You don't just walk in to Mexico, casually cross the border. Whoopsie. There are border patrol agents. There are actual. Like, aren't there? Like, it's kind of like even I think about an easy pass station on steroids. Like, I haven't crossed the border actually driving into Mexico. I've crossed the border driving into Canada. And I know that's a process as well. So I'm. I. I can't speak to actually having ever driven into Mexico. So I don't know what that actually is. But I guarantee you, you have to show your passport. You have to actually talk to an agent. You have to probably state why you're going. You don't they don't just let you drive in there. You can't accidentally go to Mexico.

[Amy Robach]

Okay, but those are Mexican officials checking your information. Right. So. And I'm saying an arrest warrant wouldn't have popped up on the way there, but only on the way back.

[DJ Holmes]

Right. Although, I don't know. Like, who knows? I'm surprised that that didn't pop up then. If there was a. If he missed a court appearance back in June and he had an arrest warrant out for him, it is interesting he was able to get into Mexico without being flagged at that point, because that was the initial story that he was apprehended trying to go to Mexico. But it's been, I guess, now clarified that he actually got apprehended coming back into the United States.

[Amy Robach]

So this story, who knows what it is, but why did he miss a court appearance having to do with child support in the first place?

[DJ Holmes]

Ropes Got an explanation for that?

[Amy Robach]

Yes.

[DJ Holmes]

So here's the problem. See, the notice was sent to a P.O. box and not to his actual physical home address. He claims that's a problem. And then on top of that, he claims he had Covid and he was really sick and that's why he hadn't gone to check his P.O. box. Now, apparently he recovered well enough to accidentally head to Mexico, but he didn't swing by his PO Box first to get that really important court appearance notice saying he was wanted in court.

[Podcast Host / Narrator]

That.

[Amy Robach]

I mean, how. Here's my question. How late, how far past a court appearance or responding to the court before they issue a warrant for your arrest? If you get a notice to come to court, it's not going to be a notice that, hey, your court date is tomorrow. It's going to be in two days. In two weeks, could be next month.

[DJ Holmes]

You usually have ample time to plan around a court date like that.

[Amy Robach]

Okay, so is it possible he didn't check the PO Box for quite some time?

[DJ Holmes]

Is that he must have had. What is it called, the long hauler syndrome of COVID Because I've had Covid twice that I know of. I was recovered within three to four days.

[Amy Robach]

Well, I am not going to at all make any assumptions about the level of discomfort he had while he had Covid. That thing is serious.

[DJ Holmes]

He was able to physically make his way from Michigan to Tijuana.

[Amy Robach]

It was more important to get to the people, the homeless who need homes.

[DJ Holmes]

Okay.

[Amy Robach]

In Tijuana?

[DJ Holmes]

I don't know. I mean, I don't know. There they did. It was an endeavor. There was the name of an Organization I actually saw now, so obviously this is verifiable. So whatever he's saying, oh, he's going to have to be able to.

[Amy Robach]

Oh, I didn't see a name.

[DJ Holmes]

Verify it.

[Amy Robach]

Oh, I didn't see that. Oh, oh.

[DJ Holmes]

Does that make it different for you?

[Amy Robach]

Yes, it does. I didn't know that was official name. I thought that was a guy's name. They said I'm Rando. They he was trying to find. But that makes perfect sense.

[DJ Holmes]

Esperanza program. So he's. This is according to his representative. She says that he accidentally crossed into Mexico due to a mix up about where to meet his partner for the Esperanza program where he volunteered to build homes for unhoused individuals. That is exactly what the name of the organization is that they referenced. Esperanza. I'm not familiar with it.

[Amy Robach]

Housing and Benefits Assistance in Philadelphia. The Esperanza program. Yes. There's a thing that does something with housing in Tijuana. Yeah, maybe all over.

[Podcast Host / Narrator]

Yes.

[Amy Robach]

For 30 years. The Esperanza program. All right.

[DJ Holmes]

I cannot wait to hear from Esperanza.

[Amy Robach]

I can. What if he's listed in the leadership here or something? No, he's not. But yes, it is exactly what. It's what they do. This is interesting. So is it possible that he legitimately had something to do in Mexico?

[DJ Holmes]

It's just there was a lot of mixed messaging going on, so it's confusing to know what to believe and what not to believe. So much so that the judge was like, yeah, we're gonna deny your bail. You're gonna need to be extradited back to Michigan where then you can actually go and appear in court for those missed child support payments, which he says was an accident as well.

[Amy Robach]

Yeah, but stay with us here. When we come back, we'll explain what his response to all that that the judge says. Yeah, we'll tell you what his response was and why his court appearance was a bit bizarre and a bit confusing even to the judge. All I know is what I've been told and that to half truth is a whole lie.

[Maggie Freeling]

For almost a decade, the murder of an 18 year old girl from a small town in Graves County, Kentucky went unsolved until a local homemaker, a journalist and a handful of girls came forward with a story.

[DJ Holmes]

I'm telling you, we know Quincy killed her.

[Maggie Freeling]

We know a story that law enforcement used to convict six people and that got the citizen investigator on national tv.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn) / Ed Helms]

Through sheer persistence and nerve, this Kentucky housewife helped give justice to Jessica Curran.

[Maggie Freeling]

My name is Maggie Freeling. I'm a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist producer and I wouldn't be here if the truth were that easy to find.

[Jonathan Goldstein]

I did not know her and I.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn) / Ed Helms]

Did not kill her or rape or.

[Amy Robach]

Burn or any of that other stuff that y' all said.

[DJ Holmes]

They literally made me say that I took a match and struck and threw it on her. They made me say that I poured gas on her.

[Maggie Freeling]

From Lava for Good. This is Graves County, a show about just how far our legal system will go in order to find someone to blame.

[Amy Robach]

America, y' all better wake the hell up. Bad things happens to good people and small towns.

[Maggie Freeling]

Listen to Graves county in the Bone Valley feed on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts and to binge the entire season ad free. Subscribe to Lava for Good plus on Apple Podcasts.

[Jonathan Goldstein]

I'm Jonathan Goldstein. And on the new season of Heavyweight, I help a centenarian mend a broken heart.

[DJ Holmes]

How can a 101-year-old woman fall in love again?

[Jonathan Goldstein]

And I help a man atone for an armed robbery he committed at 14 years old. And so I pointed the gun at him and said, this isn't a joke. And he got down. And I remember feeling kind of a surge of like, okay, this is power. Plus, my old friend Gregor and his brother tried to solve my problems through hypnotism.

[Amy Robach]

We could give you a whole brand new thing where you're like super charming.

[DJ Holmes]

All the time, being more able to.

[Amy Robach]

Look people in the eye, not always hide behind a microphone.

[Jonathan Goldstein]

Listen to heavyweight on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Podcast Host / Narrator]

Welcome to Decoding Women's Health. I'm Dr. Elizabeth Poynter, chair of Women's health and Gynecology at the Atria Health Institute in New York City. On this show, I'll be talking to top researchers and top clinicians, asking them your burning questions and bringing that information about women's health and midlife directly to you.

[DJ Holmes]

100% of women go through menopause.

[Podcast Host / Narrator]

It can be such a struggle for.

[DJ Holmes]

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[Podcast Host / Narrator]

But even if it's natural, why should we suffer through it? The types of symptoms that people talk.

[DJ Holmes]

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[Maggie Freeling]

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[DJ Holmes]

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[DJ Holmes]

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[Podcast Host / Narrator]

Listen to Decoding Women's Health with Dr. Elizabeth Poynter on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you're listening now, it's Ana Ortiz.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn) / Ed Helms]

And I'm Mark and Delicato.

[Podcast Host / Narrator]

You might know us as Hilda and Justin from Ugly Betty. We played mother and son on the show, but in real life we're best friends. And I'm all grown up now. Welcome to our new podcast, Viva Bethy.

[Amy Robach]

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[Podcast Host / Narrator]

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[Amy Robach]

I.

[Podcast Host / Narrator]

That's not even possible. Well, you're the only one that looks that much different. I look exactly the same. We're rewatching the series from start to finish and getting into all the fashions, the drama, and the behind the scenes moments that you've never heard before.

[Amy Robach]

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[Kalpen (Kal Penn) / Ed Helms]

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[Podcast Host / Narrator]

Each and every one, all of a sudden, like, someone like, comes running up to me and it's Salma Hayek and she's like, you are my Ugly Betty. And I was like, what is she even talking about? Listen to Viva Betty as part of the My Cultura podcast network, available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[DJ Holmes]

I'm Eva Longoria.

[Podcast Host / Narrator]

And I'm Maite Gomez Jejon.

[DJ Holmes]

And on our podcast Hungry for History.

[Podcast Host / Narrator]

We mix two of our favorite things.

[DJ Holmes]

Food and history.

[Podcast Host / Narrator]

Ancient Athenians used to scratch names onto oyster shells and they called these ostracon to vote politicians into exile.

[DJ Holmes]

So our word ostracize is related to the word oyster.

[Amy Robach]

No way.

[Podcast Host / Narrator]

Bring back the ostricon. And because we've got a very mi.

[DJ Holmes]

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[Kalpen (Kal Penn) / Ed Helms]

Pretty much every entry into this side of the planet was through the El Golf of Mexico. No, the America.

[Podcast Host / Narrator]

No, the America.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn) / Ed Helms]

El Golfo de Mexico. Continuing forever and ever.

[DJ Holmes]

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[Podcast Host / Narrator]

Mustard seeds were so valuable to the ancient Egyptians that they used to place them in their tombs for the afterlife.

[DJ Holmes]

Listen to Hungry for History as part of the My Cultura podcast network, available.

[Podcast Host / Narrator]

On the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[DJ Holmes]

Continuing our coverage of a. Well, a developing and can. It's a story that just gets more and more bizarre as the days go on. We're talking about former Family Matters star dealing with some very tricky family matters right now. And he needs to appear in Family Court. In the meantime, though, he has been in a jail on the border of Mexico and the United States after he was arrested. Apparently now trying to cross back into the country after accidentally going to Mexico. He claims to help build homes for the homeless. Okay, so if you think anything that we have said up until now is strange and puzzling, just wait until you hear how his bail hearing, his first hearing went yesterday in court where he attempted to represent himself in this hearing. It didn't go well.

[Amy Robach]

No, it was very confusing. And he was at times trying to. At one point he cited a, a case, another criminal case, in trying to make a point about his own rights being violated. It was, you couldn't make sense really of what he was saying. He was trying to represent himself. He was also standing behind, I guess, kind of in a glass holding cell trying to talk to the judge through the window. So that made it all so awkward, but it was strange. And was this. I'm, I'm making a special appearance. That whole back and forth with the judge as well, he kept repeating, I'm making special appearance. The judge said, what are you saying? Whose special appearance? What are you? And a back and forth to where she was even trying to get him to say his name on the record. And he wouldn't say it because he didn't seem to understand. Not that he was being hostile, he just didn't seem to understand what was happening.

[DJ Holmes]

It made me actually think he was going for an insanity defense. I don't think that that's a defense for not paying child support, but it actually felt like he was setting up a mentally unstable sort of defense for himself because that's how bizarre it was. But specifically, I have some of the quotes at the beginning of the hearing, he addressed the judge saying, I'd like to say I'm here on special appearance. The judge was very confused and said, especially appearing for whom? That was the response. And then he repeated, I'm here on special appearance. The judge repeated the question, sir, who are you specially appearing for? He finally responds, specially appearing for Darius McCrary. I'm here. I'm here. So it was just bizarre and it just kept going on and on to the point where the judge finally said that you, Darius, are unable to understand and appreciate the legalities of these proceedings. And that's when she said, I'm going to assign you a court appointed lawyer because you need help.

[Amy Robach]

Again, he was trying to do some lawyering and was making a claim that his rights were being violated. In particular his rights as it comes to Due process. And he said that in court, but he starts citing the 4th, the 5th, the 14th amendment. He's throwing all this out in a. And the judge only heard the voice. I think it was a woman.

[DJ Holmes]

It seemed like a woman, yes.

[Amy Robach]

I mean, she was patient there and indulged him for a little bit, but she finally got to a point and say, all right, we need to wrap this up. Go get a lawyer. We're gonna sign you one.

[DJ Holmes]

Right.

[Amy Robach]

And try this again. I think he has another court appearance in a week and a half. I think the 14th. When did I see.

[DJ Holmes]

Well, Michigan has 30 days to pick him up from this jail cell in San Diego to bring him back to Michigan to face the charges he's facing there. So, yeah, this is just. It was a strange story that got stranger, and it. It's. Look, who knows what's going on in his life? Who knows what's going on in his head? But certainly he needs legal help. But it seemed like he needed even more help than that after watching him.

[Amy Robach]

I hate to say I don't know what's going on in his personal life, but he certainly don't want to. Didn't want to end up where he is. And for a lot of us who grew up watching, loving, admiring, looking up to kids like him, you just hate to see it. But, yeah, like anybody else, people have issues and problems in life and try to do their best to make them right.

[DJ Holmes]

It is. It is one of those things where people go through tough times, but usually not with the spectacle of cameras and people trying to discern, you know, at your lowest point, to know that everybody's watching and listening. And it's not how you want to be remembered, and it's certainly not how you want to have your name back in the headlines, especially when you've been, you know, the person he's been and representing and a show that's been beloved. And it's just tough when you see people fall on tough times and have it all out there for everyone to. Voyeur list. Voyeur list. I can't talk today.

[Amy Robach]

Go ahead. Go give it one more shot.

[DJ Holmes]

Voyeur ristically. Is that right?

[Amy Robach]

Is that even a word?

[DJ Holmes]

Okay, I'm going to just try to say this in another way. It's just tough when you are now basically the headline that no one wanted and certainly not you, and you're having to deal with that. So, anyway, we will continue to follow this, see if there's any new updates, any new light that could be shed on what possibly was going on behind the scenes. But for now, thank you so much for listening to us and just bearing with me stumbling on that one word that I still am not going to be able to say. I'm Amy Robot alongside DJ Holmes. Have a great day everybody.

[Podcast Host / Narrator]

What happens when tragedy uncovers the secrets we thought were buried forever? See Paramount Pictures Regretting youg October 24th the powerful new romance film based on Colleen Hoover's best selling novel. Starring Allison Williams, McKenna Grace, Dave Franco and Mason Thames, this heart tugging story explores the fragile, beautiful bond between a mother and daughter tested by love, betrayal and loss. Bring your mom, your best friend, or your whole book club. And don't forget the tissues. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll leave feeling everything. Regretting you. Only in theaters October 24th.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn) / Ed Helms]

Johnny Knoxville here. Check out Crimeless Hillbilly Heist, my new true crime podcast from Smartless Media, Campside Media and big money players. It's the true story of the almost perfect crime and the nimrods who almost pulled it off. It was kind of like the perfect storm in a sewer.

[Amy Robach]

That was dumb.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn) / Ed Helms]

Do not to follow my example, Listen to Crimeless Hillbilly Heist on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.

[Maggie Freeling]

The murder of an 18 year old girl in Graves County, Kentucky went unsolved for years until a local housewife, a journalist and a handful of girls came forward with a story.

[Amy Robach]

America, y' all better wake the hell up. Bad things happens to good people and small towns.

[Maggie Freeling]

Listen to Graves county on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. And to binge the entire season ad free. Subscribe to Lava for Good plus on Apple Podcasts.

[Jonathan Goldstein]

I'm Jonathan Goldstein and on the new season of Heavyweight. And so I pointed the gun at him and said, this isn't a joke. A man who robbed a bank when he was 14 years old and a centenarian rediscovers a love lost 80 years ago.

[DJ Holmes]

How can 101-year-old woman fall in love again?

[Jonathan Goldstein]

Listen to heavyweight on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Podcast Host / Narrator]

In early 1988, federal agents raced to track down the gang they suspect of importing millions of dollars worth of heroin into New York from Asia.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn) / Ed Helms]

Had 30 agents ready to go with shotguns and rifles and you name it.

[DJ Holmes]

Five, six white people pushed me in the car. I'm going, what the hell?

[Kalpen (Kal Penn) / Ed Helms]

Basically your stay at home moms were picking up these large amounts of heroin.

[Amy Robach]

All you gotta do is receive the package. Don't have to open, just accept it.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn) / Ed Helms]

She was very upset, crying.

[Amy Robach]

Once I saw the gun.

[Kalpen (Kal Penn) / Ed Helms]

I tried to take his hand and.

[Amy Robach]

I saw the flash of light.

[Podcast Host / Narrator]

Listen to the Chinatown sting on the iHeartRadio app. Apple Podcasts or anywhere you get your podcasts. This is an iHeart podcast.