LAKELAND -- TV talk show host Dr. Phil said one of his producers went too far when bailing out the alleged ringleader behind a violent videotaped beating in Polk County.
News 13 first told you Saturday about the producer who paid thousands for the bail for Mercades Nichols and then picked her up at the jail.
A judge on Friday set bails ranging from $30,000 to $37,000 for the teenagers.
The whole thing created a fury at the jail when the producer told other reporters to leave because Dr. Phil had the exclusive rights to her story.
Show spokeswoman Terri Corigliano said the worker went too far, saying paying for bail crossed the line, and that there are no longer plans to do a show on the beating.
"These staff members have been spoken to and our policies reiterated. In addition, we have decided not to go forward with the story as our guidelines have been compromised," Corigliano said.
Dr. Phil may have had to wait a while anyway. A judge has ordered everyone not to talk about the case.
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