If you have been browsing the net lately or checking out just about any media outlet then you have most likely heard about the online video of the Florida high school cheerleader that was savagely beaten by a group of girls. If not I would suggest you do a quick search for that story and the video. 

Although I didn't do a story on that situation I was completely outraged and horrified at the actions that those teens displayed in that video. Yet there is even more going on with this incident now. Apparently some staff of the Dr. Phil show posted bail for one of the jailed teens facing charges for this case. Dr. Phil's spokeswoman Terri Corigliano stated in an e-mail that: "We have helped guests and potential guests in the past when they need financial assistance to come on the show - assisting with clothing allowance, lost wages, accommodations, travel and necessities. In this case, certain staff members went beyond our guidelines (re the bail being paid)."

When this story first surfaced it was stated that these girls videotaped this whole incident and uploaded it to YouTube in an effort to get famous. Check. Furthermore once they were booked, they seemed to be unphased by it and were worried about missing cheerleading practice. So tell me how bailing them out of jail to put them on a popular television show is not only giving them what they wanted in the first place but also sending a horrible message to teens across the nation.

Oh and let's not forget the fact that they aren't even going forward with the story because their "guidelines have been compromised." No kidding. Whose bright idea was it in the first place that doing something like this is acceptable on any level? What if it was one of their daughters that had been beat, would they have done the same thing? I think I'm pretty safe in saying, no they would not.  Anybody who supports the actions of that video should have the same thing done to them. Yes that sounds a little bit harsh but the reaction that I have heard from other people who have seen the video are much worse.

The eight teens involved in the case range from 14 to 18 years old and are facing kidnapping and misdemeanor battery charges. Three of them are also facing felony charges of witness tampering and they are all being tried as adults. 



Aaron Fields writes for KSTW-TV in Seattle. All opinions expressed in this column are his.